Industry Expert Interview

Opening and running a successful business is more than creating a product or service and selling it, rather it requires a delicate balance in maintaining a competitive edge while steering clear of liabilities. Lawsuits can come in the smallest infraction, but can wreak havoc on a company’s financial operations and destroy brand equity.

To help steer my business clear of common liabilities, I recently interview Paul Sieg of Potter Sieg, an entertainment law firm based in Atlanta, Ga.

What are some of the most common legal mistakes of businesses in entertainment marketing?

For a lot of businesses, especially new businesses, they find that they run into trouble when it comes to contracts, trademarks and copyrights. The law is pretty clear on copyright and trademark protection, but it can be pretty confusing when enforcing contracts. Even with skilled counsel on your side, the process can be very arduous.

Do these mistakes become more or less exaggerated as it grows?

When a business grows, they are exposed to these liabilities on a larger scale. If you’re expanding globally, the laws can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Also, the more competitive your business gets, the more you have to have certain legal protective measures in place. Growth is a good thing, but you have to protect your growth.

I recently researched the impact of trade secret misappropriation, how common is this topic in entertainment marketing?

Trade secret misappropriation is a pretty common concern, but I always advise my clients to safeguard themselves against it with solid employee contracts. Today’s workforce is highly competitive, and you’d be surprised how quickly you can loose an employee and all of your trade secrets to an attractive competitor employment offer.

When should a company consider using outside counsel vs. inside counsel?

If your business has the resources available, then in- house counsel can help advise you on the day-to-day liability pitfalls, and for larger issues, such as a lawsuit, they can assist your law firm in handling the case. Either way, your entertainment marketing firm cannot go wrong with counsel on its side.

Counselor Sieg was incredible helpful, proving that a knowledgeable attorney is an invaluable resource for any businesses considering the entertainment industry.