This up-to-date, legalese-free handbook explains how multimedia works are produced and distributed and explores the common, usually complex and discipline-crossing, legal issues that have accompanied its growth.

The laws drawn up to protect single-media works do not directly accommodate the rapidly expanding world of multimedia. Without a knowledgeable, guide, such as Mr. Litwak, developers, producers, and distributors of multimedia works can easily find themselves stumbling blindly through the electronic landscape, tempting legal and financial disaster with their every move.

Litwak's handbook walks the reader through the process of multimedia production, provides assessments of the practices of both established and emerging producers and distributors of multimedia works, and offers a broad variety of legal and business advice on such matters as protecting your work, entering into deals with electronic publishers and distributors, and plunging into cyberspace. Accompanying Litwak's sage advice are numerous sample contracts and agreements that relate to all aspects of multimedia production and distribution.

Table of Contents
(Contracts are in Bold Type)

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION TO MULTIMEDIA
   What is Multimedia?
   Opportunities for Independent Producers
   How the Internet Can Help Independent Producers
   Legal Hurdles
   Industry Giants Wrestle for Control
   History of the Information Superhighway
   What will the Information Superhighway Look Like
   Privacy Concerns
   Key Technological Developments
   Fibre Optics
   Digital Compression
   High-Definition Television
   Direct Broadcast Satellite
   Digital Video Disc
   The World Wide Web
   Government Policy

2. LICENSING CONTENT
   An Uncertain Market
   Clearance Problems
   Fear of Digitalization
   Licensing Content
   Text
   Copyright
   Titles
   Trademarks
   Characters
   Tort Liability
   Defamation
   Right of Privacy
   Right of Publicity
   Union / Guild Permissions
   Motion Pictures
   Photographs and Still Images
   Music
   Architecture
   Fine Art
   Computer Software
   Defensive Tactics
   Insurance
   Conclusion
   Contracts
   Film-Clip Licenses With Warranties
   Model Release
   Music and Sound Recording License
   Photograph License Agreement
   Text License Agreement
   Video License Agreement
   Art Work License Agreement

3. HIRING OTHERS
   The Nature of Intellectual Property
   Works Made for Hire
   Employee or Independent Contractor?
   Assignment of Rights
   Patents
   Protecting Trade Secrets
   General Employment Concerns
   Discrimination
   Civil Liberties
   Privacy and E-Mail
   Job Tenure
   Guild / Union Concerns
   Contracts
   Results and Proceeds of Service Clause
   Employment Agreement
   Consultant Agreement
   Work for Hire Agreement with Independent Contractor (Programmer)
   Production Agreement

4. Submission of Materials
   Protecting Your Interests When Submitting Materials
   Protecting Yourself When Submitting Materials to Review
   Contracts
   Submission Letter
   Submission Release
   Submission Release

5. PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION
   Packaged Media
   The Distribution Chain
   Distribution Channels
   Marketing Calendar
   Negotiating the Publishing Agreement
   Conflict of Interest
   Grant of Rights
   Reserved Rights
   Compensation
   Bundling Deals
   Audits and Accounting
   Interest and Security
   Warranties and Indemnification
   Delivery Requirements
   Source-Code Escrow
   Technical Support of End Users
   Upgrades
   Trademarks
   Confidentiality
   Termination
   Arbitration
   Contracts
   Software Publishing Agreement
   Escrow Agreement

6. VENTURING INTO CYBERSPACE
   The Internet
   Advertising on the Net
   Internet Web Sites
   Freedom of Expression in Cyberspace
   Obscenity
   Child Pornography
   Liability of Access Providers
   Privacy Protection Act of 1980
   Copyright Issues
   Contracts
   Virtual Shopping Mall Advertiser Agreement
   Agreement for Online Distribution of Multimedia Program

7. PROTECTING MULTIMEDIA WORKS FROM INFRINGEMENT
   Copyright
   Copyright Notice for Multimedia Works
   Copyright Registration Forms
   Form TX
   Form S
   Form PA
   Trademark
   Creation of Trademark Rights
   The Federal Registration Process
   Benefits of Federal Registration
   Grounds for Refusing Federal Registration
   Maintenance of the Mark
   Trademark Forms
   Domain Names
   Patent
   Trade Secret
   Contract
   Non-Disclosure Agreement

APPENDIX

NOTES

GLOSSARY