Legal Question in Entertainment Law in Illinois

It really depends on what you will have them do in the show. A competition show release will differ from a release for a show like The Real World. Either way, you should use the services of a law firm that has exeperience in reality TV. Please contact me for assistance...

Don Simon

The form you need is a retainer agreement with a good copyright lawyer, as implied above, and let the lawyer do the forms so the right forms are used and they are done right. I also can do this. This is not difficult or expensive legal work, but needs to be done correctly and comprehensively so all angles are covered and you are not exposed legally. In addition to a release, there is a contract of hire (making the people independent contractors and setting the terms of hire), there is a copyright assignment & release (work for hire agreement, if they are adding original authorship). There are numerous other agreements regarding hours of work, travel expenses, wages (if any), residual rights, non-competition, confidentiality and perhaps union membership or non-membership. Be careful not to hire a lawyer who is only thinking about a "release", as that is just the tip of the iceberg and if that is all you get, you will be in legal trouble.

As an attorney experienced in reality TV programming on E!, ABC, FOX and other networks, I can tell you that the "release" that I am speaking of above will including work for hire and other copyright matters. You need more than just a copyright lawyer, which I am also well-versed in. You also need a lawyer with experience in competition and sweepstakes promotion and compliance, if your show goes in that direction. You also need a lawyer experienced in network TV production and distribution.

Work for hire and non-competition issues are just the "tip of the iceberg" issues and are easily handed in the release that I made mention of.

So, I reiterate my initial note: It really depends on what you will have them do in the show. A competition show release will differ from a release for a show like The Real World.

Please visit my firm's website and you will see that we are well-versed in not only copyright law, but all other liabilities surrounding reality-based programming.