OT: Limited Buyout Rights?

mjroddy wrote on 5/21/2007, 3:37 PM
I'm thking on self-producing a series of commercials I could sell/lease to cable companies and such.
I'd like to create a contract where they have lisence to use the spots for a limited time, say, 4 or 6 months, and can re-new after that.

I've not heard of this being directly done.
Is it?
Do I need a lawyer to create some papers for such a deal?
Is there a better place to ask this question?
I mean, I know you pros out there cumulatively posess the sum of all knowledge, so that's why I start here.
But if there is a better resourse for this kind of thing, I'm in the market to learn.

Thanks!

Comments

farss wrote on 5/21/2007, 3:47 PM
Do I need a lawyer to create some papers for such a deal?

In this game it's wise to consult a silk before blowing your nose :)

Spot did produce an article on IP and Copyright and as good as that is in giving general coverage to this area you really do need professional legal advice. You also need someone who specialises in this area from my experience.

As far as I know licences limited by geography and time are very common. Very common with production music.

Did I say this before, hire a lawyer.

Bob.
Coursedesign wrote on 5/21/2007, 4:41 PM
I like Mark Litwak, a very experienced indie filmmaker's lawyer in L.A., see http://www.marklitwak.com, and would expect he could quickly create the contract you need, or refer you to the perfect resource, either way at a reasonable outlay in the end.
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/21/2007, 5:42 PM
Time-restricted, geographic restricted, even broadcast hour slot- restricted licenses are common. You can easily write your own based on templates found on the web (or in the back of the Understanding Copyrights DVD) or you can hire an attorney. I'd consult an attorney regardless, but it's quite easy to write your own and have an attorney vet it.

It's just a limited license. Limited licenses are much easier than "unlimited" licenses.