Skip to main content
Please enter a legal issue and/or a location
Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select

What is Entertainment, Sports, and Leisure Law?

Entertainment, sports, and leisure law covers a wide range of professions and media, including visual entertainment (movies, television, radio); performing arts (theater, music, personal appearances); media (visual arts, publishing, Internet media); and sports, both professional and amateur. An attorney who practices this area of law typically provides legal services such as contract negotiation, agent representation, labor law, merchandising, and licensing. This is a broad practice area encompassing both state and federal laws across several legal disciplines.

Important Terms to Know

  • Copyright: A person's exclusive right to reproduce, publish, or sell his or her original work of authorship (as in literary, musical, dramatic, artistic, or architectural work).
  • Agent: A person or entity (as an employee or independent contractor) authorized to act on behalf of and under the control of another in dealing with third parties.
  • Licensing: The sale of a license permitting the use of patents, trademarks, or other technology to another.
  • Contract: An agreement between two or more parties that creates in each party a duty to do or not do something and a right to performance of the other's duty or a remedy for the breach of the other's duty.

When You May Need an Entertainment Attorney

Any party to a contract or production involving entertainers, athletes, or other public figures (such as authors or public speakers) may need the counsel or advice of an entertainment, sports, and leisure attorney. Lawyers practicing in this area must be familiar with several different areas of law, including employment, contracts, labor law, bankruptcy, immigration, and intellectual property.

For instance, an internationally renowned musician typically would need a special type of visa to work in the U.S. (immigration); help negotiating contracts; and assistance with copyright and licensing issues (intellectual property). A film producer may work with an entertainment lawyer to draft contracts with actors, photographers, writers, and other professionals involved in a project, or to license content to a third party.

Agents representing actors or professional athletes often are licensed attorneys.

Related Practice Areas

Contact an entertainment, sports, and leisure attorney near you if you need assistance. You can also learn more by reading lawyers' answers to state-specific entertainment, sports, and leisure law questions.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Get a Lawyer’s Help

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help.

Or contact an attorney near you:

Next Steps

Contact a qualified attorney to make sure your rights and interests get protected.

Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select

Help Me Find a Do-It-Yourself Solution

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Case

You want a lawyer who:

  • Is experienced in your type of case
  • Knows your state’s laws
  • Understands your goals
  • Is on your side

FindLaw makes it easy to find the right attorney for you! Search our attorney lists by location and topic.

 

 Find your lawyer now.

Copied to clipboard

Find a Lawyer

More Options