by Benjamin Delaney If there is one sector of the entertainment industry that was not hit nearly as hard by the COVID-19 pandemic as others such as Hollywood and sports, it is video games. From blockbusters like Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Sony’s The Last of Us: Part II, to independent games like Kinetic Games’ Phasmophobia, and Spiritfarer from Thunder Lotus Games, the video game industry has largely avoided the setbacks the pandemic has had on other entertainment industries1. While the major studios no doubt have their own legal teams to handle the legal aspects of game development, the.
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A Voice for the Voiceless
by Fairouz Qoulaii Cooperation, or the act of participating in a common endeavor is a reflex, even a human imperative, that has existed since the dawn of time. It is based on the assumption that people, regardless of their economic class or level of education, know what is good for them and are able to work together to meet their needs in a democratic and inclusive way. Cooperatives and community radio stations are examples of such places. Community Radio: Who Are They? What Role Do They Play? Cooperatives and community radio stations share several common values: They help provide access.
When the Artist Exposes Herself: The Importance of Consent
by Camille Desmarais *The feminine form will be used throughout the text but includes both actors and actresses. Social, artistic and legal context To expose herself, to give herself up, to reveal herself, that is what is expected of actresses. However, when we move from the figurative to the literal, it is essential to stop for a moment to learn about the rights that come into play in these particular situations. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, situations have been denounced where actresses have been called upon to act out scenes of nudity, intimacy, or sexual nature in circumstances.
Artists and IP Scholars are all looking at one thing: Taylor Swift
by Ben Delaney The first time I heard the name Taylor Swift, she had just released her 2008 blockbuster album Fearless and the first hit from that album, “Love Story,” was just hitting the airwaves. While the angst of my much younger self was turned off from the pop star, these days I eagerly await the re-release of Fearless. This is because the upcoming re-release is, in some sense, showcasing a “quirk” of the U.S. copyright system with relation to the music business. This article will briefly examine Swift’s battles with music ownership, and the possible implications her battle has.
Contract Law & COVID-19: Is It Possible to Invoke Superior Force?
by Aimée Riou Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, now almost a year ago, the art scene has been radically transformed. While the impact on different industries varies, it is still possible to notice more generalized impacts, especially in the context of artists’ contracts. Indeed, the pandemic has led to the cancellation or modification of many of these contracts. So, how does contract law deal with instances of superior force? What about COVID-19? Basic Contract Law rules Before anything else, it is important to understand a few fundamental rules in Québec contract law. First, when a valid contract is.
License agreement, in brief
by Julie Aubin-Perron A licence is an agreement in which a licensor allows a licensee to use certain rights under certain conditions and for the purposes set out in the agreement. In the arts, often the rights in question are rights in a work, for example, the right to reproduce a song. What’s in it for the licensor? The chance to make a profit and to get their work circulated more widely. Usually, the licensor will receive royalties on sales. An important advantage of a licence is that it typically allows the licensor to retain full ownership of its rights,.
