Take Ownership of Your Talent!

Take Ownership of Your Talent!

We all have talent and are eager to jump into this business.  We’ve given you insight on how to make a great first impression, enter the industry, brand yourself, invoking your passion in to your work, as well as resources for this entering the industry—now once you’ve done this; how do you protect your art! How do you insure that you will always have credit for the work you do? This importance piece is the backbone, the business plan of you, your art, your talent, and your work! This important piece is a chain of title.

A chain of title is defined as:

^-               The succession of title of ownership of copyright back to the original owner.¹

^-               The paper trail that establishes a person or company’s right to take proposed action with respect to a piece of property.   The “chain” runs from the present owner back to the original owner of the property in question. ²

^-               A history of conveyances and encumbrances affecting a title from the time that the original patent was granted, or as far back as records are available.³

In short, a chain of title protects the original owners possession!

In respect to film, TV-show, play or musical production, the chain of title documents may include:

1. Copyright registration
2. The right to adapt underlying work
3. Agreements with hired contractors
4. Evidence that the documentation and options were extended before their expire date
5. Contracts with performers
6. Releases for the use of photos, artwork…
7. Etc.

 “Chain of Title: What it is, why it matters.”

A clean chain of title can be considered the character of your projects.  It will show that you’ve received all permission of use and provide the documentation needed to obtain financing for your project.  It can also be used to secure distribution.

Overall, a Chain of Title is the copyright of your work. A clean chain of title can be compared to a clean credit report!  While an entertainment attorney is not needed to create a solid chain of title, it would assist in the valid creation of your package to financers and distributers.

Other articles to consider:

 The importance of Securing Chain of Title

Copyright

“Chain of Title: What it is, why it matters.”

Sources:

1. http://www.rajwans.com/the-importance-of-securing-chain-of-title.html
2. http://firemark.com/2012/06/15/chain-of-title-why-matters/
3. http://www.allbusiness.com/glossaries/chain-title/4960256-1.html#ixzz1zQaA7Cj0