When Does The 30-Day Period Commence for Filing a CDP Request? DC Circuit Court Weighs In
The D.C. Circuit stopped an attorney dead in his tracks from skirting a $ 550,000 tax debt when it affirmed a Tax Court decision that a statute of limitations began when a notice was mailed, not when it was dated. In so doing, the DC Circuit affirmed the decision of the United States Tax Court. To understand this case, […]
Masterclass: Tips for Buying or Selling A Screenplay
Let’s Make a Deal – Buying or Selling a Screenplay: Part I
Are Whistleblower Appeal Filing Deadlines Jurisdictional?
The following article appeared in the June 18, 2018 edition of Law360 and can be accessed here. I am honored to be a contributor to this fine legal publication.
Let’s Make a Deal – Buying or Selling a Screenplay
All movies, television series pilots and features begin with an idea. Only once that bare bone is fleshed out with plot, theme and character does that idea show potential as a movie. Writer once told a beginning screenwriter that the vast majority of screenwriters only finish one screenplay, and out of the vast numbers of […]
The Filmmaker’s Guide to Working With Unions
Once a film advances from the development stage, a producer, director and actors are needed. I suppose this is fairly obvious as without this “cast of characters,” the film could never be made. This is the perfect time to start thinking about the various “players” you will encounter during the filmmaking process along with the types of […]
What Filmmakers Need to Know About Actor Agreements
Talent is the lifeblood of any film. Without it, a film would never see the light of day. They include actors, writers, directors, producers, and below-the-line crew. When it comes to actor/performer agreements, the seminal issue is whether the production will employ professional actors who are members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and […]
Taxes & Crowdfunding
In need of capital to start a new business or fund a creative endeavor? Crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and Indiegogo have exploded in growth and popularity and are spreading like wildfire for both individual fundraising and small business owners. The amount of funding being crowdsourced has risen exponentially since 2009, and will likely […]
Nuts & Bolts of Non-disclosure Agreements
How can a filmmaker safeguard their idea during the submission process? Here are a few tips: Don’t disclose too much information. When pitching your idea to a producer, don’t volunteer any more information than what is necessary to give the producer a thumb nail sketch of your idea. Make use of confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreements. A confidentiality agreement or non-disclosure agreement (NDA) […]
DMCA: A Safe-Harbor from Liability for Copyright Infringement or the Thunder from Down Under?
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a product of worldwide agreement by governments and corporations on ways to attempt to stem the tide of copyright infringement that has run rampant in the digital age. The DMCA came online in 1998 when people still watched DVDs and cars had CD players. The Act has not […]