Contracts and Agreements in Film and Television
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Film and Television Law course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Contracts and Agreements in Film and Television Glossary #
Contracts and Agreements in Film and Television Glossary
A #
A
Assignment #
Assignment
Assignment refers to the transfer of rights or obligations under a contract from… #
In the context of film and television, assignments may occur when a producer transfers their rights to a distributor.
B #
B
Buyout #
Buyout
A buyout is a one #
time payment made to acquire all rights to a piece of content. For example, a studio may offer a buyout to a writer for their screenplay, giving them a lump sum in exchange for full ownership.
C #
C
Chain of Title #
Chain of Title
The chain of title is a legal document that traces the ownership history of a pi… #
In film and television, a clear chain of title is crucial for securing financing and distribution deals.
Completion Bond #
Completion Bond
A completion bond is a type of insurance policy that guarantees a film will be c… #
This provides financial security to investors and distributors.
Copyright #
Copyright
Copyright is a form of intellectual property protection that grants the creator… #
In film and television, copyright protects scripts, screenplays, and other creative content.
D #
D
Defamation #
Defamation
Defamation refers to the act of making false statements that harm a person's rep… #
In the context of film and television, defamation claims may arise if a character is portrayed in a defamatory manner.
Distribution Agreement #
Distribution Agreement
A distribution agreement is a contract between a content creator and a distribut… #
This agreement typically covers territories, platforms, and revenue sharing.
E #
E
Exclusivity #
Exclusivity
Exclusivity refers to the exclusive rights granted to a party under a contract #
In film and television, exclusivity clauses may limit where, when, and how content can be distributed.
F #
F
Force Majeure #
Force Majeure
Force majeure is a clause in a contract that excuses one or both parties from fu… #
Force majeure clauses are crucial in film and television contracts to account for production delays.
G #
G
Guarantee #
Guarantee
A guarantee is a promise made by one party to ensure the performance of another… #
In film and television, guarantees may be provided by distributors to secure financing for a project.
H #
H
Holdback #
Holdback
A holdback is a period of time during which a piece of content is withheld from… #
Holdback agreements are common in film and television to maximize revenue potential.
I #
I
Indemnification #
Indemnification
Indemnification is a legal obligation to compensate for losses or damages #
In film and television contracts, indemnification clauses may protect parties from claims related to copyright infringement, defamation, or other legal issues.
Intellectual Property #
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, liter… #
In film and television, intellectual property includes scripts, characters, and trademarks.
J #
J
Joint Venture #
Joint Venture
A joint venture is a business arrangement in which two or more parties collabora… #
In film and television, joint ventures may involve co-producing a film or television show.
K #
K
Kickback #
Kickback
A kickback is a form of bribery in which a commission is paid to someone in exch… #
Kickbacks are illegal and unethical in the film and television industry.
L #
L
Licensing Agreement #
Licensing Agreement
A licensing agreement is a contract between a content owner and a licensee that… #
In film and television, licensing agreements are common for music, footage, and other copyrighted material.
M #
M
Mutual Indemnification #
Mutual Indemnification
Mutual indemnification is a clause in a contract in which both parties agree to… #
In film and television contracts, mutual indemnification clauses provide protection for both parties in case of legal disputes.
N #
N
Non #
Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
A non #
disclosure agreement is a legal contract that outlines confidential information that the parties wish to share with each other for certain purposes but wish to restrict access to or by third parties. In the film and television industry, NDAs are commonly used to protect scripts, storylines, and other sensitive information.
O #
O
Option Agreement #
Option Agreement
An option agreement is a contract that grants a party the exclusive right to pur… #
In film and television, option agreements are often used by producers to secure rights to a book or screenplay before it is developed into a film or television show.
P #
P
Producer's Rep #
Producer's Rep
A producer's rep, short for producer's representative, is an individual or compa… #
Producer's reps help producers secure financing, distribution deals, and other opportunities for their projects.
Public Performance Rights #
Public Performance Rights
Public performance rights are the legal rights to perform a copyrighted work in… #
In film and television, public performance rights are typically granted by the copyright owner or licensing agency.
Q #
Q
Quid Pro Quo #
Quid Pro Quo
Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase that means "something for something #
" In the context of contracts, quid pro quo refers to an exchange of goods or services of equal value. Quid pro quo arrangements are common in the film and television industry, such as talent trades or co-productions.
R #
R
Release Form #
Release Form
A release form is a legal document that grants permission to use a person's like… #
Release forms are essential for avoiding legal disputes over rights to an individual's image.
S #
S
Severance Package #
Severance Package
A severance package is a compensation package provided to an employee upon termi… #
In the film and television industry, severance packages may be offered to crew members or talent whose contracts are terminated early.
Subsidiary Rights #
Subsidiary Rights
Subsidiary rights are additional rights to exploit a piece of content beyond its… #
In film and television, subsidiary rights can be a valuable source of revenue for producers and creators.
T #
T
Term Sheet #
Term Sheet
A term sheet is a non #
binding document that outlines the key terms and conditions of a proposed deal. In film and television, term sheets are used to negotiate agreements before drafting formal contracts.
U #
U
Union Agreement #
Union Agreement
A union agreement is a contract negotiated between a production company and a la… #
Union agreements set forth the terms and conditions of employment, including wages, working hours, and benefits.
V #
V
Vertical Integration #
Vertical Integration
Vertical integration is a business strategy in which a company controls multiple… #
In film and television, vertical integration may involve a studio owning a production company, distribution network, and streaming platform.
W #
W
Work #
for-Hire
Work #
for-hire is a legal concept in which a person or entity commissions a work and owns the rights to it. In film and television, work-for-hire agreements are common for hiring writers, directors, and other creative professionals to create content for a specific project.
X #
X
Exhibit #
Exhibit
An exhibit is a document or item attached to a contract that provides additional… #
In film and television contracts, exhibits may include budget breakdowns, shooting schedules, or talent agreements.
Y #
Y
Yellow Pages #
Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages is a colloquial term used in the film and television industry to re… #
Yellow Pages are valuable resources for networking and finding collaborators for projects.
Z #
Z
Zone of Reasonableness #
Zone of Reasonableness
Zone of reasonableness is a legal principle that refers to a range of acceptable… #
In film and television negotiations, parties may use the zone of reasonableness to find mutually beneficial solutions and avoid disputes over unreasonable demands.