Media is an influential, ever-present force in modern life. News, television, film, art, literature, sports, music and digital technology not only keep the public informed and entertained, they also drive the conversation that shapes policy, culture and social norms in an interconnected world.

For more than 50 years, Pryor Cashman has counseled entertainment industry clients on the complexities and legal challenges that arise when producing, financing, distributing, protecting and optimizing the value of creative content. We have fostered long-standing relationships with key players in every area of the entertainment industry and have developed a keen understanding of the business realities of parties on both sides of the content equation.

What We Do

Pryor Cashman’s Media + Entertainment Group provides multidisciplinary counsel for the wide-ranging needs of industry clients and their diverse projects. We serve individuals and institutions in the U.S. and internationally in all areas of the media business, including:

  • Film, TV + Podcast – major, mini-major and independent motion picture studios, broadcast and cable television networks, and distribution and production companies
  • Digital Media – Streaming services, new media content providers, technology companies, social media networks, and software and app developers
  • Music – music publishers, content creators, intellectual property owners and music and sound recording licensees
  • Theater – choreographers, directors and stage workers’ unions
  • Finance – executives, producers, individual investors, hedge funds, investment banks, and other financial institutions
  • Talent – singers, musicians, writers, directors, producers, actors, visual artists, journalists, fashion designers, celebrity chefs, athletes and others
  • Art- collectors, family offices, galleries and dealers, advisors and appraisers, auction houses, museums, foundations and artists

Our transactional attorneys, renowned litigators and leading-edge digital media and intellectual property attorneys collaborate to negotiate contracts and deals that achieve our clients’ goals, identify potential areas of liability and vigorously enforce contractual and property rights in high-stakes litigation.

Intellectual Property

Creative works are the foundation of the entertainment business. Our IP Group possesses decades of experience helping creative clients effectively protect and monetize their intellectual property by:

  • Registering copyrights and trademarks
  • Prosecuting patents
  • Asserting and defending infringement and related claims
  • Negotiating agreements ranging from licenses to purchases and sales of IP assets

We also help clients optimize and leverage their IP portfolios and personal brands through merchandising, licensing and endorsement deals and partnerships, and through authentic brand extensions. 

Artificial Intelligence

Our attorneys advise clients on the uses and applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in connection with movies, television series, and other entertainment projects.

  • Working as part of a cross-department AI task force, we create artificial intelligence policies for companies and advise on issues such as copyright protection and data privacy relating to AI.
  • Our M+E teams are fluent in the AI requirements of the major entertainment guilds, including the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, and help clients navigate the guilds’ AI requirements.
  • We constantly monitor new technical developments and regulatory updates regarding AI, advising our entertainment industry clients on how to best protect their IP and other business interests in this evolving environment.

Digital Media

Our attorneys have been active in litigating the issues involving the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) since its inception. That litigation has helped shape the architecture and contours of the statute, and establish a new liability framework for unauthorized reproduction and distribution of copyrighted content via digital platforms. In addition, we regularly advise technology-driven content providers and developers on:

  • Digital and online advertising, communications and business practices
  • Domain name registration and hosting
  • Advertising and marketing regulations
  • Social media and platform disclosures
  • Online security and privacy matters

Transactional Work

Whether involved in contract negotiations, intellectual property licensing or complex financing arrangements, our insight into every angle of critical deals, coupled with our deep experience with both traditional and new media platforms, enables our M+E Transactions Group to evaluate and advise on the important relationship and business transactions that drive our clients’ success. Our attorneys have served as lead counsel in numerous multi-million dollar deals involving media and entertainment acquisitions, sales and mergers, and project development, production and distribution.

Entertainment Litigation

From intellectual property and contract disputes to complex commercial, business and real estate matters, our M+E Litigation Group represents clients in virtually every type of entertainment dispute. We have asserted and defended copyright and trademark infringement actions for some of the world’s most important media companies and entertainment personalities, including actions that established new law in the area.