In 2022, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the overall film production spending in the state of New Jersey went well over $650 million. This was a significant jump from the previous year, which saw approximately $500 million spent on filmmaking. With its proximity to New York City and the diverse geography it holds on its own (i.e., urban areas, beach towns, etc)., New Jersey’s film and TV industries have, without a doubt, been on the rise. So if you want in on this flourishing industry, you should first learn the ins and outs of the intellectual property laws that largely affect it. So, please read on to discover how intellectual property laws play a role in the film industry and how a seasoned Essex County, New Jersey intellectual property lawyer at The Ingber Law Firm can work to ensure you are well-equipped to enter this field.
How do intellectual property laws affect the film industry?
At its core, intellectual property laws are intended to protect those who work in creative industries, such as the film industry. Namely, on average, it may take 120 to 150 individuals to work together on a single film. This is because so much is involved in bringing a film to life, from writing scripts to designing wardrobes and capturing moving images. With this in mind, copyright and trademark laws provide the protections necessary for all these individuals, so that a film can be produced, distributed, and monetized fairly and effectively. More specific examples of how these laws affect the film industry are as follows:
- Copyright laws may protect creators from the unauthorized reproduction of their films (i.e., piracy).
- Trademark laws may protect creators from their film titles/logos and company names getting copied.
- Licensing agreements may protect creators from unauthorized use of their films on streaming platforms, broadcast television, merchandise, etc.
What should I do to prepare to enter the film industry?
If you want to work on a film in the state of New Jersey, you should know that you may automatically gain a copyright for it once it is created and fixed in a copy. However, to gain protection from potential copyright infringement down the line, you may want to take the extra step and register your copyright electronically with the United States Copyright Office.
Similarly, you may want to apply to trademark your film’s title/logo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Also, when filming, certain buildings and structures are trademarked. For example, if you go across the river to film a scene, you should know that the Empire State Building is trademarked. With this, you may want to obtain a licensing agreement beforehand.
If you are looking for more clarity on the matter, please allow a competent Essex County, New Jersey intellectual property lawyer to offer it to you. Schedule an appointment with The Ingber Law Firm today.
