How to Avoid Common Pitfalls and Protect Your Creative Work

You're creating content for a screen production, but how do you ensure your project is legally sound and positioned for success?

Join Dan Muldoon, Commercial Solicitor at Carson McDowell LLP, for a practical and interactive session exploring the legal foundations of screen production. Suitable for anyone working across the screen sector, the session will provide practical insights into the legal and commercial issues that can arise throughout the lifecycle of a project, helping attendees protect their work, avoid common pitfalls, and maximise opportunities for development, financing, production and distribution. Topics will include:

Intellectual Property (with a focus on Copyright)

Ownership and Chain of Title

Key Contracts in Film & Television

Talent and Crew Agreements

Distribution and Exploitation Rights

Music Licensing, Synchronisation and Composer Contracts

Film & Television Funding Considerations

Company Formation and when it may be required

Regulatory Compliance for Broadcast

Real-life examples of project failures due to a lack of or ineffective contracts

The session will conclude with an open Q&A, providing attendees with an opportunity to explore common legal issues affecting screen productions and seek general guidance on the topics covered.

By the end of the session, you'll have a clearer understanding of the legal issues that can affect screen productions and the practical steps you can take to protect your project, your rights and your future opportunities.

Please note: The information provided at this event is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice.

Presenter:

Dan Muldoon is a Commercial Solicitor at Carson McDowell, Northern Ireland’s largest independent law firm. A first-class honours graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Dan advises on a wide range of commercial matters including general commercial contracts, technology and innovation, intellectual property and data protection. Dan has a particular focus on the film, television and wider entertainment industries and is a member of Carson McDowell's Entertainment, Creative & Talent team. He advises clients across the screen sector on production agreements, rights clearance, chain of title, talent and contributor agreements, music licensing, film financing and general commercial support for creatives. Dan regularly delivers workshops, training sessions and industry talks for emerging screen sector professionals, helping producers and other contributors understand key legal issues, protect their work, and build sustainable careers in the screen sector. Dan also sits on the Board of the Oh Yeah Music Centre, supporting its work in developing and promoting Northern Ireland's music industry.

Firm:

Carson McDowell is Northern Ireland’s largest independent law firm. Headquartered in Belfast with an office in Dublin, the firm has more than 230 people, including 136 solicitors, and is led by 45 partners. As a full-service law firm, Carson McDowell advises clients on matters of every scale and complexity, drawing on expertise across more than 29 practice areas. The firm is particularly recognised for its strength in key sectors including entertainment and creative, energy and renewables, technology, transport, manufacturing and education. Carson McDowell acts for more than 50% of Northern Ireland’s top 100 companies, as well as international businesses operating in the region. Its lawyers have advised on many significant transactions and legal matters for regional, national and international clients.

For more than a decade, Carson McDowell has held a leading position in Chambers UK and The Legal 500, outperforming other firms in Northern Ireland. For more information, visit www.carson-mcdowell.com

*If you have any dietary requirements or require special assistance, please contact info-futurescreensni@ulster.ac.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.