Legal Question in Entertainment Law in Illinois

Who owns the rights to a television commercial?

I own a freelance production company that produced a series of commercials

for a company called Majors Mobility. I made the TV spots and then the owner

asked me to change the name to Majors Medical ''for his partners''. I did this

as a favor and did not charge him for the spots.

Later, I was hired as a full-time videographer/advertising person for Majors

Mobility where I found out that Majors Medical is a totally different company.

After 8 months at Majors Mobility I was laid off. Now, I want to either be paid

on the spots that I created or take them off of the air.

There are no formal contracts signed. Do I own these commercials for both/

either compnay and do I have the right to take them off of the air, or are they

now the property of Majors Mobility and Majors Medical.

thank you


Asked on 6/15/04, 5:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Donald R. Simon The EIP group

Re: Who owns the rights to a television commercial?

Are you saying that you have not been paid at all for producing the spots? If you produced the spots as an independent contractor, as opposed to an employee, then you may be able to get an injunction to stop their use of the spots. Please feel free to contact me at: 773.882.4912. www.entertainmentlawchicago.com.

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Answered on 6/15/04, 5:42 pm


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