Film and Entertainment

Kean Miller is actively engaged in the film / entertainment, and digital media industry in Louisiana. We work closely with clients and industry professionals in a variety of services areas, including: production legal, economic development and tax incentives, tax credits, business and corporate matters, dispute resolution, and intellectual property. Our lawyers were instrumental in the drafting, modifications, and re-enactments of the Louisiana Motion Picture Incentive Act, and in the implementation of the Louisiana Digital Media Act.

Production Legal
  • Representation of various motion pictures, television series and commercial productions as local and production counsel
  • Structured numerous motion picture tax credit financing arrangements
  • Provide updates and analysis regarding the changes to the Louisiana film tax credit program
  • Assist with the Louisiana motion picture tax credit application process
  • Provided counsel on location agreements relating to major motion pictures
  • Representation of script writers in negotiations with production companies and financiers
  • Provided counsel for the development, pitching and negotiation of reality television series
  • Representation relating to the formation, business and contracts regarding television shows, motion pictures and animated web series
  • Representation of various film and entertainment concerns with respect to intellectual property protection and brand management programs
  • Handled hundreds of tax credit transactions involving motion picture, infrastructure, digital media, historic, live entertainment and R&D tax credits
Economic Development, Governmental Affairs and Tax
  • Lobbying and active involvement in drafting, modifications, and re-enactments of the Louisiana Motion Picture Incentive Act
  • Representation of Louisiana entertainment industry investment / tax credit finance companies
  • Representation of financial institutions in connection with production lending and tax credit financing
  • Representation of the state-of-the art water filming production facility located in Shreveport, Louisiana
  • Representation of various film and television production studios in the state of Louisiana, including the largest studio in the state located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • Lobbying and active involvement with the passage of legislation enacting the Louisiana Digital Media Act and subsequent revisions of the Act designed to encourage development in Louisiana of a strong capital base for the production of digital interactive media
  • Representation of various digital media and software development companies throughout the state of Louisiana
Business, Corporate, Contracts and Licensing
  • Negotiation of all relevant agreements for a large public university in its formation of a multimedia joint venture for providing "stock" footage for use in films and other media
  • Representation of a product manufacturer in connection with negotiations with Multi-Media Exposure, a broker/agent for the Home Shopping Network and QVC
  • Representation of a music and music technology provider in the review of contracts regarding sponsorship of and products placement on a Fox Network television program
  • Representation of a book author in a movie rights marketing agreement
  • Representation of a major electronics manufacturer in contract negotiations and disputes with its celebrity spokespersons
  • Negotiation of licenses with a musical artist and a music publisher regarding use of music for a television program
  • Negotiation of joint development and license agreements for a company that provides multimedia training
  • Representation of authors in obtaining copyright protection for audiovisual, audio and literary works, including CDs and DVDs
  • Representation of a major advertising company regarding patent rights related to electronic transmission of media product
  • Representation of a scaffolding and supplies contractor with a concentration in the movie industry
  • Representation of development stage e-learning company in connection with private equity financing
  • Assisted and advised clients with regard to the licensing of copyrighted musical works
  • Representation of publishing companies in obtaining federal trademark registrations
  • Negotiation with major studio for the option acquisition rights of an author's book
Litigation
  • Representation of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers in litigation in New Orleans
  • Representation of the band Puddle of Mudd in copyright infringement claims