Chain of Title
- Thread starter Loki
- Start date
Will Clegg
Veteran
Anybody? I was just asked for this by a distributor, and then they couldn't even tell me what it looked like...
Then they said they didn't really even need it. But I am still very curious as to what it looks like.
Then they said they didn't really even need it. But I am still very curious as to what it looks like.
10s
Veteran
Chain of Title is the linkage of all written & signed materials regarding: copyright ownership, story [this can be a big isssue if your story involves real life situations with characters being depicted, they often sue], screenplay ownership, artist & crew releases, soundtrack clearances, any signed agreements which can lay claim to ownership rights, profit sharing, i.e., artist contracts, creative claims from crew & sub contractors, all the things E&O insurance needs to accept and certify the production, i.e., proof of ownership materials.
Many reputable distributors will not touch productions that do not have clear chain of title documentation because they wish to avoid legal jeopardy entanglements; instead they want to make money, not spend money on lawyers defending their acqusitions and coproductions. They need these materials to establish in fact that the film maker does posses ownership and has fully unencumbered rights to the produced work. Once a clear chain of title is made known, they can then make a deal with you without fearing someone will come along and sue after they have spent considerable time, effort & money promoting the feature and claim a percentage of the profit that will harm their balance sheet. This is business.
Many reputable distributors will not touch productions that do not have clear chain of title documentation because they wish to avoid legal jeopardy entanglements; instead they want to make money, not spend money on lawyers defending their acqusitions and coproductions. They need these materials to establish in fact that the film maker does posses ownership and has fully unencumbered rights to the produced work. Once a clear chain of title is made known, they can then make a deal with you without fearing someone will come along and sue after they have spent considerable time, effort & money promoting the feature and claim a percentage of the profit that will harm their balance sheet. This is business.
Will Clegg
Veteran
So it's not really a single document - it's more like a package of all the legal documents you have (or should have).
Is there some kind of affadavit-type document that I would sign that claims that all the documents contained within are valid and legally obtained? Or any kind of standard structure? I know this is really a question for my lawyer, but just want to enter into that conversation with as much info as I can get beforehand.
Maybe this should be moved to Business/Post-Production forum.
Is there some kind of affadavit-type document that I would sign that claims that all the documents contained within are valid and legally obtained? Or any kind of standard structure? I know this is really a question for my lawyer, but just want to enter into that conversation with as much info as I can get beforehand.
Maybe this should be moved to Business/Post-Production forum.
10s
Veteran
I would go get a list of deliverables needed for getting E&O insurance. See the Fireman's Fund Clearance procedures.
Yes this is a business issue, a very serious issue that can sink a finshed project if all the t's aren't crossed, and all the i's are not dotted.
There are a few attorneys that visit the site, they might have much better info than I.
Yes this is a business issue, a very serious issue that can sink a finshed project if all the t's aren't crossed, and all the i's are not dotted.
There are a few attorneys that visit the site, they might have much better info than I.
JennyHayden
New member
I found a great template you can download at http://www.bcfilm.bc.ca/slatedevelopment.php
Nathyn
Low Budget Ninja
It's a ton of paperwork. The shifter your distributor the less is needed. LOL. Most times DTD distributors don't bother, but most big ones and cable distributors will want to see these documents. I always contract my actors and try to have contracts for places we use as much as possible.
-Nate
-Nate