Entertainment Law and Media Ethics

Metropolitan College of New York - Graduate School of Management

Entertainment Law and Media Ethics

Final Research Paper/Presentation Assignment-Fall, 2011

This semester we will are studying the interrelationship between the law, ethics and the business of the entertainment/media industries focusing on the scope of rights that attach to an entertainment enterprise, and the variety of legal, ethical and developmental issues raised in various entertainment business contexts. Particular attention is paid to power structures; methods of credit allocation; creative control; methods by which rights in a creative product may be transferred; grants of rights and representations; and warranties and indemnities relating to risks particularly characteristic of the entertainment/media industries.

The goal of this assignment is for students to become aware of the kinds of ethical, moral and legal choices facing media management professionals as part of developing a critical framework for analyzing and evaluating issues that will arise in connection you're your personal and professional responsibilities, accountability and job performance as you plan your media venture. This will be achieved.

It is expected that as part of planning your media venture you are to complete a critical assessment of your planned Constructive Action from a legal and ethical perspective by exploring the moral values and legal concerns related to ethical media management and quality service as part of your media venture. Specifically you are expected identify, research and discuss any ethical and legal issues that are inherent in effectuating your planned media venture to explain how you will resolve these issues. This may involve issues of broadcasting or performing copyrighted material; the acquisition of material like original screenplays, optioning books, using art material, music or graphics, or other copyright issues; contractual issues; and/or issues that will arise in the potential marketing of your venture. In addition you must identify and describe the form of business entity that you propose you will take for your planned media venture and explain why you have chosen this form over the others available.

Students will also create a PowerPoint presentation as part of a presentation of the legal and ethical issues discussed in your paper. Papers must be 10-12 pages in length exclusive of appendices which must include a print out of the slides from your PowerPoint presentation (PowerPoint slides and other reference pages, table of contents, bibliographies, etc., do not count toward the 10-12 page count) and follow the guidelines provided for paper submissions in the syllabus.

An outline of the paper must be submitted in class during Week 5. Failure to submit the outline will result in a ten (10) point deduction from the final