Video & The Law

Legal Video Guide – Learn tips for important legal issues with online video for commercial use. Here we offer news and insights into copyright infringement, fair use, trademark, right of publicity, right of privacy, defamation, trade secrets, waivers and releases – and how all of this relates to web video and digital media. Here you will find trends, tips, and insights with real attorneys and legal professionals in internet and new media law, intellectual property law, entertainment law.

Justin Bieber Goes To Prison!...Is One Possible Headline If Bill S.978 Gets Passed

Let's face it. We all expect Justin Bieber to go to prison for some reason down the road, because almost every child who experiences success at such an early age tends to find trouble. Former child stars single-handedly created the E! Network back in the ...

Netflix To Attack Privacy Law As Unconstitutional, Raises Further Privacy Issues

Treading water, sinking like a rock, there are all manner of swimming metaphors that could be applied to the last few months of Netflix's life. Now, they are perhaps facing a whale of a task. They are ready to challenge the Video Privacy Protection Act ...

7 Tips for Using Copyrighted Music in Professional Videos & Slideshows

This legal video question comes form Malia Leinau Meyers of Malia Professional Photography, out of Kailua, Hawaii, concerning the use of copyrighted music in her video montages of photography work. Attorney Gordon P. Firemark explains what you need to know about copyright infringement, getting proper ...

YouTube Videos Exploiting Kids: A Concerned Parent's Outrage

I interviewed popular "Mom Blogger" Jessica Gotlieb, who shared her strong opinions about the YouTube controversy with musical performer Evan Emory and others who behave irresponsibly with online video, and appear to be rewarded for it. Jessica also talks about why parents and communities must ...

Can I Get Sued For My “Fake” Video Prank? Legal Video Q&A

Just because YouTube isn't legally liable for a "bad" video on its website doesn't mean that you're off the hook for posting it! In our "Is That Legal?" video series, attorney Evan Brown explains why featuring other adults or kids in your online video without ...

Can I Sue YouTube for Causing Me Emotional Distress? Legal Video Q&A

Can you sue YouTube for emotional distress? I interviewed Evan Brown, technology and Internet property attorney from Chicago, and asked him about the huge legal challenges with holding YouTube responsible for what other people post online, even if it causes serious emotional trauma to the ...

Federal Judge Slaps Down DVD Streaming Service Zediva With Injunction

I KNEW I should have used my lingering Zediva credits! Apparently, a federal judge by the name of John F. Walter has slapped down Zediva (remember, the Netflix competitor that lets you rent a DVD and player and stream movies from that player via Internet) with an ...

UK To Extend Copyright Exemption To Parody & Personal Digital Use Copies

Holy end-around Batman! The UK appears to be on the verge of giving the OK for people to ignore the MPAA and RIAA and allow consumers to begin ripping their CDs and DVDs for personal, digital use. The recommendations also include extending the copyright exemption ...

7 Important Online Video Legal Questions On Copyright And Fair Use

Intellectual Property Law Attorney Marcelo Halpern gives us a "legal video education" on why most online video professionals and enthusiasts today have big misconceptions about what they are and aren't allowed to use with what they find or put out on the Internet, and the ...

Electronic Frontier Foundation To Online Video Creators: Know Your Rights!

I interviewed Rebecca Jeschke, Media Relations Director for the digital civil liberties group, The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Rebecca shared with me how they fight for people's rights with both creating videos and expression of freedom speech, and important information for all online video creators ...

Video Waivers and Releases For Recording People On Video: Legal FAQs

Many online video producers and marketers today have lots misconceptions about what whether or not they have legal permission to record video of someone and put it up online. If that describes you, then you might be interested in my interview today with Intellectual Property ...

Netflix Competitor Zediva Blasts Movie Studios For Stifling Innovation

Zediva is still making waves, and still streaming one DVD in one player to one customer. In recent court document filings, the streaming DVD rental service (for lack of a better description) blasted back at the MPAA, essentially telling them to take off the blinders ...

YouTube Felony Conviction Unconstitutional, Says First Amendment Expert

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) President Greg Lukianoff has protested Muskegon County's felony criminal charge of child pornography brought against 21-year old YouTube performer Evan Emory as "an overreaction and "at odds with Supreme Court precedent." Greg helped explain why local parents and ...

How Attorneys Can Use Online Video To Help The Public and Build Their Practices

Legal assistance for online video marketing and other professionals is becoming increasingly important in our litigious society. So why are most attorneys and law firms still resistant to publicly sharing legal information with online video? Entertainment law and new media attorney Gordon P. Firemark addresses ...

Singer Evan Emory Back On YouTube: Web Redemption or Bad Timing?

Controversial YouTube performer Evan Emory is back on YouTube. The singer gave his first public music performance yesterday on a local radio station, sharing new songs he composed while in Muskegon County Jail in Michigan. The video has now appeared on his own YouTube channel ...