module specification

This module explores the legal, commercial, and strategic dimensions of deal-making within the global entertainment industry.

Focusing on television, film, influencer, music, digital content, and gaming - students will critically examine the key contracts that shape creative production, talent relationships, rights exploitation, and revenue generation.

Through real-world case studies, industry-standard agreements, and negotiation simulation, students will gain practical insights into how deals are structured, negotiated, and enforced. Core topics include contractual clauses, talent and production agreements, agency and management contracts, music rights deals, legislation and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The module also considers emerging legal issues related to streaming, and social media

By the end of the module, students will be equipped to identify key legal risks, understand stakeholder interests, and contribute to the deal-making process in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.

ESJ Framework:

This module will give students the opportunity to choose a subject of assessment within the syllabus according to their own particular interests, in accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework.

This module will place students at the heart of their learning experience, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally within their chosen legal employment sector. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework.

Module Aims:

1. To provide an understanding of the legal frameworks that underpin contractual relationships in the entertainment industry, including film, television, digital media, content production, streaming, music and live performance.
2. To equip students with the ability to critically analyse and interpret key entertainment contracts, such as talent agreements, licensing deals, production contracts, and rights assignments.
3. To develop students’ practical skills in deal-making and negotiation, with a focus on balancing creative, commercial, and legal considerations in real-world entertainment transactions.
4. To develop awareness of the roles, interests, and power dynamics of stakeholders in entertainment deals, including talent, artists, agents, producers, studios, and digital platforms.
5. To encourage critical reflection on current and emerging legal issues, such as the impact of streaming, technology, and global digital distribution models on traditional contracting practices.
6. This module supports graduate opportunity and employability by giving you key knowledge of a subject which is practised within the professional legal sector; and by giving you a host of transferable skills, including research, critical thinking and communication.

Introduction to Entertainment Industry Structures

Principles of Contract Law in Creative Contexts

Rights in Entertainment Deals

Talent, and Performer Agreements

Management, Agency, and Representation Contracts

Production Agreements

Streaming, Licensing and Distribution Deals

Negotiation Strategy and Deal-Making

Ethics, and Power Dynamics in Contract Negotiation

Drafting Entertainment Contracts: Key Clauses

Emerging Legal Issues: Social Media, Technology and the Creator Economy

All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Learning & Teaching Strategy
Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar.
The lecture will be used for:
• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.
The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study.

Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp
Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Understand the core legal principles underpinning entertainment contracts.
2. Analyse the structure and purpose of key industry agreements, including the current challenges and innovations in entertainment contracts.
3. Evaluate the interests and leverage of parties in entertainment negotiations.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/8D920A60-1D79-830F-A167-98E577BF36BF.html

CORE
Media & Entertainment Law, by Ursula Smartt, 2025
Entertainment Law: Music (Or How to Roll in the Rock Industry), by Stephen Wade Nebgen, Second Edition, 2023
DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK