Entertainment Attorney David Branfman has been practicing law in San Diego County for over twenty-four years. Mr. Branfman's practice focuses on intellectual property and entertainment law, including trademarks, copyrights, licensing, motion pictures and music. He was Chairman of the Board of the San Diego Film Commission from 1998 through January 2000 and is currently a member of its Board of Directors. He is Legal Chair of the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Television Academy and a member of the Special Advisory Committee for the San Diego Film Festival. His film and television clients include Four Square Productions and Killer Tomatoes Entertainment.

At our first meeting of the new year, Mr. Branfman will talk about the legal aspects of film production. Learn the importance of forming a legal business for your production. Why contracts, releases, and deal memos are necessary and how their use can protect you. What could happen if someone gets hurt on the set and how workman's comp insurance plays a role. Why you should know who owns the script you are shooting. Copyrights, trademarks and how to avoid a violation.

Come network with your San Diego filmmaking peers and stay to hear how the law can work to protect you in your next production!

Don't forget to bring your business cards and head shots! And please be sure to tell everyone you know in the San Diego filmmaking community about this exciting, free event. See you there.

Meeting Review
by Kristen Martin

2006 started a new momentum for San Diego Filmmakers. Over eighty people showed up to meet and hear entertainment attorney David Branfman speak about copyrights, trademarks, independent contractors, agents and the fair use law.

For almost two hours Branfman spoke and answered questions from the audience. Not only did members get to have their questions answered, but they also received Branfman’s contact information and a twelve page overview of business law.

“There is no way to cover twelve areas in one hour,” Branfman informed. “What I’m talking to you about tonight would be a semester course at San Diego State University.”

Branfman developed a quick bond with the attendees at the meeting. He was very hopeful, encouraging the momentum of San Diego Filmmakers to continue growing at its fast pace. “I know a successful group when I see one,” he stated, “and San Diego Filmmakers is going to take off because of everyone’s willingness to collaborate instead of being competitors in this business.”

Bob Misiorowski, last month’s guest speaker, returned to hear Branfman’s speech. For returning members, they got to ask Misiorowski questions they were unable to ask last month due to time constraints. He was so taken back by last month’s meeting he had to come back for more!

Pictures from the Meeting

BONUS: Follow-up Message from David Branfman:

Thanks for the opportunity to meet your group and to try to shed some light on those pesky legal issues. The gathering was impressive and very energetic. I only wish I had been able to get to all the questions.

One especially hot topic that I didn't get to that I think might be of particular interest to filmmakers is the U.S. Copyright Office's new and (r)evolutionary implementation of an online "PREREGISTRATION" process for a few limited types of works. Films are one of them. The Preregistration process allows for a type of "intent to register" application before a film is finished. It's also an online only system. This is a totally new animal for the Copyright Office and one that is certain to create a tremendous amount of controversy. Our January 2006 client newsletter briefly describes the Preregistration system. (Click here to view a pdf copy.)