Steven S. Sidman

Practice Summary

Recorded Music Representation of recording artists, songwriters, record producers and mixers; corporate executives, personal managers, talent agents and other professional consultants; record companies, production companies and music publishers, regarding transactions and various legal and business issues within the entertainment industries. Negotiation and documentation of a vast array of complex transactions within the music industry, including recording, music publishing and administration, audio-only and audio-visual distribution, producer, mixer, side and guest artist agreements; multi-artist and multi-writer furnishing agreements; motion picture soundtrack agreements; film composer agreements; personal management and talent agency agreements; copyright transfers (including catalog sales), assignments, licenses (including master-use licenses, “sampling” licenses, synchronization licenses, and “mechanical” licenses) and registrations; digital content distribution; product endorsements; touring and personal appearance agreements; and executive employment agreements. Chefs, Restaurateurs & Lifestyle Branding Representation of renowned chef-owners and entrepreneurs in all aspects of their careers in the food service, hospitality and lifestyle industries, including restaurant and brand development from top-to-bottom, hotel-restaurant and hotel-lounge ventures, product endorsements, media deals, book publishing, intellectual property, corporate and employment matters generally. TV & Film Representation of producers and talent alike in the negotiation of various agreements within the TV and film industries, including personal services agreements, option agreements and third-party content rights acquisitions generally, production agreements, life story deals and unscripted television projects. Athletes Legal/non-agent representation of both professional and amateur athletes across multiple sports in name, image and likeness (“NIL”) agreements; product endorsements; media deals, book publishing, intellectual property, corporate, estate planning and real estate matters generally. Book Publishing Representation of authors and publishers in the negotiation of various agreements within the literary publishing industry, including literary agency agreements; various forms of collaboration agreements, including so-called “ghost writer” deals; book publishing deals; distribution agreements; and film and television option agreements. Creative Talent, generally Advice and counsel for creative talent, celebrities, social media influencers, public figures, high net-worth individuals and family offices regarding various intellectual property issues and rights concerning the exploitation of names, likenesses and brands, copyrights and trademarks, including licensing and product endorsement arrangements. Internet & New Media Representation of industry-leading media, marketing and promotions companies regarding economic, business and legal issues related to the pursuit of new commercial opportunities and the establishment of new corporate ventures related to the entertainment, media and technology industries, including recently increased focus on market-driving podcasts, video game and social media influencer campaigns. Advice for start-up technology companies regarding intellectual property licensing and business development strategies both within and outside of the entertainment industries.