Media, Sports and Entertainment
The media, sports, and entertainment industries share unique legal needs due to their high public visibility, constitutional rights, intellectual property concerns, and complex contractual relationships. We are experienced in providing our clients with strategic guidance and comprehensive legal protection in these dynamic fields.
The media, sports, and entertainment sectors are high-profile and rapidly evolving. Businesses and individuals in these domains require legal representation that not only stays abreast of current trends but also understands the challenging landscape. At Phelps, our team of lawyers, comprised of former athletes, journalists, and producers, brings the experience, insight, and skills needed to assist our clients navigate the sophisticated matters they face. We advise and counsel on everything from capitalizing on market shifts in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and revenue sharing to litigating intellectual property matters, protecting First Amendment rights, and securing media access. Our deep understanding of media, sports and entertainment makes us well-positioned to support our clients' success.
Our clients compete in all parts of the media, sports and entertainment sectors, including:
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- Professional sports organizations and conferences
- Professional athletes, college student-athletes, and their representatives
- Motion picture studios, steaming services, and film production companies
- Artists, writers, entertainers, creators, publishers, and record labels
- Online media platforms, social media businesses, and internet service providers
- Television and radio stations
- Broadcast and cable television networks
- Newspaper, magazine, and book publishers
- Advertising and marketing agencies
- Insurers providing media and advertising liability defense
Our lawyers have in-depth experience in First Amendment issues, copyright and trademark law, sports disputes and entertainment litigation.
Services
We have helped media, sports, and entertainment clients by:
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- Defending against defamation, invasion of privacy, and related tort claims
- Litigating copyright infringement and ownership suits
- Handling right of publicity, misappropriation of likeness, and false endorsement claims
- Protecting trademark rights, obtaining federal and state registrations, and navigating cancellation proceedings
- Advising student-athletes on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities
- Negotiating business contracts for professional and student-athletes
- Securing media access to public records, sealed courtrooms, and closed meetings
- Conducting pre-publication and pre-broadcast content and clearance reviews
- Drafting employment and non-disclosure agreements and talent releases
- Negotiating leases, handling property acquisitions and advising on location agreements
- Providing sexual harassment and other employment training
Experience
Copyright Claim Defense
