Course Resources Archive

On this module students will develop an understanding of media law for non-lawyers and, in particular, for workers producing non-news film content. This will include an understanding of laws involving intellectual property rights and rights exploitation, exploitation of trademarks, tax laws for film, protection of reputation, as well as the regulatory frameworks in which communication, such as film, operates. Students will understand the basics of contract and intellectual property rights law as well as laws governing the regulation of film content, particularly how they relate to film piracy.

This module will develop students understanding of the legal context in which films are produced, distributed and commercially exploited. The focus is on issues faced, in particular, by those who commission film content. The module will also explore the link between the legal and the commercial, through examples of the exploitation of rights and trademarks across converged and integrated media content (e.g. the Harry Potter 'brand'). Students will also have an opportunity to critically assess the strategies used by the film industry when combating piracy. The module will also develop negotiation skills in respect to securing contracts and will examine the issue of the option contract.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the key legal determinants that contextualise media practice in non-news media
2. Apply an understanding of these determinants to case studies from specific media
3. Examine the relationship between the legal and the commercial, especially in relationship to rights exploitation, rights management and the exploitation of trademarks
4. Demonstrate emerging skills of negotiation and an understanding of basic contact law
5. Demonstrate skills of primary research
6. Demonstrate library skills and an ability to use online resources
7. Demonstrate communication skills
8. Demonstrate an emerging ability to think through case studies critically using legal concepts and material

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.