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Attorneys  

Stephen B. Rodner

Stephen Rodner's practice includes transactional matters in all areas of the entertainment field involving theatre, film, television, home video, Internet and e-commerce. He has an extensive intellectual property practice, including the prosecution of trademark applications in the United States and throughout the world and representation of clients in connection with all trademark related matters. He also advises clients on issues of copyrights and copyright related matters.

Steve's work in the area of Entertainment, Media and Communications includes counseling clients and providing advice with respect to all aspects of motion picture, television production and live theatre legal matters, as well as all matters relating to music licensing for motion pictures, television and live theatre. Steve also negotiates and drafts:

• Celebrity endorsement and sponsorship deals and merchandising, commercial tie in and licensing agreements
• Contracts for producers, creative personnel, composers, lyricists, playwrights, directors, designers and performers for live theatre productions 
• Motion picture distribution agreements
• Motion picture, television and live theatre option/purchase agreements
• Motion picture, television and stage talent agreements
• Negative pick up deals
• Pilot and series television deals for writers, producers and talent
• Subsidiary rights, motion picture rights, stock and amateur productions, foreign productions and tours with respect to live theatre productions

Steve also provides counsel to clients on issues relating to:

• Errors and omissions
• Exploitation of entertainment properties across multiple platforms and media
• Financial matters, including preparation and review of offering papers and investment agreements for live theatre productions
• Union and guilds

Steve's work in the Intellectual Property field includes:

• Advising on the proper use of trademark rights and trade names throughout the world
• Negotiating, providing advice and drafting relating to transactional matters involving copyrights and trademarks, including licensing agreements, distribution agreements and confidentiality agreements 
• Providing advice in all aspects of copyright registration and protection
• Trademark selection, procurement and all aspects of trademark registration and trademark clearance

Steve is AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability.

Previous Positions

• Columbia Pictures, Legal Department (1974-76)
• Paramount Pictures, Legal Department (1968-74)

Publications

• Author, Life Story Rights: What’s Possible and What’s Not, Pryor Cashman Legal Update, January 2008
•  Author, Rear Window- a Legal View, Video Business Magazine 

Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, Putting it Together: An Introduction to Entertainment Law Practice, New York State Bar Association (June 2011)
• Panelist, Sports and Entertainment Law, Seton Hall Law School Entertainment and Sports Law Society, New Jersey (April 2007)
• Spoken at and organized many seminars and conferences for the New York State Bar Association in the area of Entertainment and Sports Law

Teaching Positions

• Adjunct Professor of Copyright and Entertainment Law, New York Law School

Professional Affiliations

• New York State Bar Association, Member (Executive Committee, Section on Entertainment and Sports Law; Co-Chair, Motion Picture Committee)
• Copyright Society of USA
• International Trademark Association

Distinctions

• Named as a "Super Lawyer” in Entertainment by Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition magazine (2009)
• Named as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of Entertainment by New York Super Lawyers – Metro Edition magazine (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 editions)

Other Activities

• Music For All Seasons, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
• Past Board of Trustees member of various regional theatres including the Whole Theatre Company and Twelve Miles West Theatre Company in Montclair, NJ
• Member, Board of Directors and Secretary, The National Blood Clot Alliance
• Steve plays trombone in both swing and concert bands in Maplewood, N.J.