Our services consist of providing and representing clients in entertainment and business law, both in assisting with contract negotiations, providing mediation services, business development, counseling regarding business formation issues and assisting with brand development with film, music, television and internet. We provide legal counseling in family law and litigation, if necessary, in entertainment, business and family law matters.
ENTERTAINMENT
Ronald M. Lebow assists artists, writers, producers, composers, bands, managers, athletes and directors and film producers achieve their desired goals in the areas of music, film, television and new media. Since his admission to practice in 1978, working with talent in film, music and television, managers, record labels, publishing companies, and technology companies, he has provided practical, legal and strategic advice to help his clients make creative and business decisions.
FILM & TELEVISION
For any film or television project to be produced, contracts, financing and applications are required. All involve documents that must be negotiated, prepared, reviewed, signed and/or filed. Whether the project entails an independent filmmaker working on a low-budget production or a sophisticated feature film co-production, each part of the production has to be documented carefully to ensure that the project has the best opportunity for success.
MUSIC
The Music Industry has changed dramatically. To that end, writers, publishers, artists, producers, independent record and production companies have to evolve and adapt to the changes in the industry and the opportunities and challenges that these changes bring not only to the creative side of music but particularly to the business side of the industry. The Law Offices of Ronald M. Lebow represents composers, recording artists, performers and music publishers, as well as independent record companies distributing music both through the normal channels and through the Internet.
INTERNET
The Law Offices of Ronald M. Lebow assists clients seeking to capitalize on the distribution of entertainment content in an online and digital environment. The firm is currently working with cutting edge creators of online disseminators of music and sound recordings through the Internet. Whether you are interested in creating a business using the Internet as part of your direct business or advertising, more and more individuals and companies are turning to the Internet for revenue, communication and advertising that is cost effective and able to reach more potential customers and consumers thereby opening up more opportunities for business and entertainment ventures.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Copyright, trademark, trade secret and patent law are the four pillars of what is commonly called intellectual property (IP). They are each specialties in their own right.
LICENSING AND CLEARANCES
A license is a right to do or use something. Where intellectual property (IP) is concerned, the word “license” is generally synonymous with “contract.” Like contracts, licenses are not always in writing. However, in some cases licenses must be in writing for the right to use the IP to be effective. Some licenses include the process of obtaining the right to use certain work of collaborators in the creative process and this entails obtaining a clearance to use that work.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright laws encourage the creation of, and protect the expression in, creative works by allowing their owners to license them and/or to prevent their misuse. Copyright underlies almost every film, television program, musical work or website. Copyright laws attempt to strike a balance between the interests of the creators of copyrighted materials and the users and consumers of creative works. The balance keeps shifting. The Internet is the latest medium to challenge that balance.
BUSINESS
Starting a business requires careful planning and understanding of your vision and goals. Depending on the type of business formation in question, various tax, liability and financing issues must be considered. We will guide you through the advantages and drawbacks of the various types of business entities, and ensure that your business is secured by a solid legal foundation in order to maximize your business creation. Furthermore, if you wish, Mr. Lebow will continue to work with your new company, providing legal counsel for other matters that may arise as you move forward with your business.
CORPORATIONS AND LLC’S
Whether it is to limit the potential liability exposure that exists in doing business, for purposes of tax planning or financing (such as filing for production tax credits), or because they are required to do so for other reasons, sooner or later businesses consider incorporation or a limited liability company which provides less formality, profits and losses flow through to the members of the LLC, while retaining the limitation on the personal liability of the members.
SOLE PROPRIETORS
Most individuals who run their own businesses are “sole proprietors”. With some exceptions (for example, taxes), sole proprietors do not have to file any forms with the government to start and operate their businesses except a fictitious business name filing.
PARTNERSHIPS
The Law Offices of Ronald M. Lebow assists clients seeking to form partnerships which can impact the partners depending upon the form of the partnership, whether it is a general or limited partnership, or a joint venture between companies. Careful understanding and structure are critical in entering into these types of entities to conduct your business. Partnerships are formed every day (sometimes without the partners even realizing it), and some jurisdictions require that partnerships file documentation to register their existence.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Copyright, trademark, trade secret and patent law are the four pillars of what is commonly called intellectual property (IP). They are each specialties in their own right.
LICENSING AND CLEARANCES
A license is a right to do or use something. Where intellectual property (IP) is concerned, the word “license” is generally synonymous with “contract.” Like contracts, licenses are not always in writing. However, in some cases licenses must be in writing for the right to use the IP to be effective. The process of obtaining a license to use IP is frequently called “getting clearances.” Clearances are those licenses.
COPY RIGHT
Copyright laws encourage the creation of, and protect the expression in, creative works by allowing their owners to license them and/or to prevent their misuse. Copyright underlies almost every film, television program, musical work or website. Copyright laws attempt to strike a balance between the interests of the creators of copyrighted materials and the users and consumers of creative works. The balance keeps shifting. The Internet is the latest medium to challenge that balance.
PROTECTING YOUR INTEREST
FAMILY LAW
The Law Office of Ronald M. Lebow has 40 years of Family Law practice, handling some of the most complex cases in California. While Family Law matters are seldom pleasant, our goal is to help you through this process by providing you with various options in order to maximum your results as economically as possible without compromising your goals.
In many cases, alternative dispute resolution is quite helpful in assisting parties to resolve their disputes without the more expensive and rigid rules in Court. The process of Mediation allows parties to express themselves in a less formal setting and take a more active part in the process. As it takes two people to tango and not everyone at the early stages of a divorce wants to dance, effective Court strategy at the outset can produce effective results and minimize the financial costs.
Our services include the following:
Collaborative Law
Mediation
Litigation
Case Management
Arbitration
Rent-a-Judge
Separation, Divorce, Post-Divorce
Mediated Premarital Agreement
Cohabitation Agreements
If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact our office.
Call Today and Let Our Law Office Serve You!