Contracting for Creatives

Course details

Media and entertainment companies spend billions of dollars every year on creative talent. In this course—specifically designed for creatives—professor, contract attorney, indie film producer, and musician Seth Polansky pulls back the curtain and explains how to protect yourself when presented with an industry contract. Get an overview of the types of contracts that you can expect to see, the situations in which a particular type is used, and the specific red flags inherent in each. Seth discusses NDA, work-for-hire and contractor agreements, and proposals, quotes, and SOWs.

Learning objectives
Why do you need a contract?
Types of contracts
Asking for an NDA
Work-for-hire and contractor agreements
Proposals, quotes, and statements of work
Licensing agreements
Delivery and payment terms

Concepts

Introduction

Welcome
Legal disclaimer
Who should use this course and how

Introduction to Contracts

What s a contract and why do I need them
What types of contracts do creatives see
When do I need an attorney

Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

What are NDAs
When should I ask for an NDA
Anatomy of an NDA
Clauses, terms, and language to look out for

Work-for-Hire and Contractor Agreements

What is a work-for-hire, or contractor, agreement
What, exactly, does for hire mean
Anatomy of a work-for-hire, or contractor, agreement
Clauses, terms, and language to look out for

Proposals, Quotes, and Statements of Work (SOW)

What are proposals, quotes, and SOWs
What should be in my proposal or quote
Clauses, terms, and language to look out for

Licensing Agreements

What does it mean to license your work
License types - Perpetual exclusive, perpetual non-exclusive, time limited
When to use each type of license
Anatomy of a license agreement
Clauses, terms, and language to look out for

The Most Important Parts of Any Contract

Choice of Law - What state country laws will apply
Work ownership and delivery
Payment terms and Invoicing terms
Clauses, terms, and language to look out for

Additional Resources

Resources

Conclusion

Summary