The creative artist's legal guide : copyright, trademark, and contracts in film and digital media production / Bill Seiter and Ellen Seiter.

"In today's complex media environment, aspiring filmmakers and new media artists are as vulnerable as swimmers in shark-infested waters. This user-friendly guide supplies creative artists with the essential legal concepts needed to swim safely with lawyers, agents, executives, and other experts in intellectual property and business law. How do I copyright my screenplay? How can I clear rights for my film project? What can I do to avoid legal trouble when I produce my mockumentary? How do I ascertain whether a vintage novel is in the public domain? Is the trademark I've invented for my production company available? What about copyright and trademark rights overseas? If I upload my film to YouTube, do I give up any rights?Bill Seiter and Ellen Seiter answer these questions and countless others while also demystifying the fundamental principles of intellectual property. Clear and thorough, this plain-spoken and practical guide is essential for anyone seeking to navigate the rapidly changing media environment of today"-- Provided by publisher.

"User-friendly guide explains intellectual property law as it applies to fiction, screenwriting, all forms of filmmaking from celluloid to digital, animation, video gaming and other creative media"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Copyright -- Trademarks -- Terms and conditions -- Contracts -- Rights of privacy and publicity -- Internet and new media -- Epilogue -- Appendix 1: How to register a copyright -- Appendix 2: How to register a trademark.