Entertainment/IP Lawyer Required — Copyright and Brand Protection for Movie / TV Series

I am developing an original movie / TV series and require an experienced, qualified freelance entertainment/IP lawyer to help protect the project, establish clear ownership and explain the relevant legal requirements.

My priorities are protection in the United States and United Kingdom, alongside a practical international strategy. I am based in Jersey, Channel Islands.

The project includes scripts, storylines, character descriptions and designs, artwork, storyboards, animated footage, trailers, lyrics, music and sound recordings. Some materials involve AI-assisted creation.

I require assistance with:

• Copyright assessment and registration: Review the materials, identify what can be protected and recommend appropriate registrations, particularly with the US Copyright Office. Explain which works require separate applications and whether any qualify for group registration.

• Scripts and characters: Advise on protection for scripts, dialogue, written character development, visual designs, the series bible and completed productions, including the limits of protection for ideas and formats.

• Music and audio: Review ownership and protection of lyrics, compositions and recordings, including AI-assisted music. Identify any commercial-use restrictions, licences, permissions or music rights administration required.

• Overall identity and branding: Advise on clearance searches and trademark protection for the project’s title, logo and relevant character or merchandise branding. The title will be disclosed privately.

• AI-assisted content: Assess copyright eligibility, human authorship, platform licence terms and any required disclosures when registering materials.

• Ownership and contracts: Check the chain of title and identify any missing contributor agreements, copyright assignments, licences, confidentiality agreements or performer/voice releases.

• Legal clearance: Identify potential issues involving third-party music, images, footage, likenesses or other protected material, and explain what must be addressed before pitching, publishing or commercial distribution.

• International protection: Explain how protection operates across the US, UK and other relevant markets, which additional filings are worthwhile and whether separate local counsel is required.

Expected deliverables:

• An initial consultation and review of an agreed selection of materials.
• A written protection plan identifying legal gaps and priority actions.
• A recommended copyright and trademark filing strategy.
• A checklist of required contracts, permissions and ownership records.
• Preparation and submission of agreed applications, quoted separately.
• Copies of all applications, receipts and resulting certificates.

Please include in your proposal:

• Your legal qualifications and licensing jurisdiction.
• Relevant experience with film/TV, US copyright registration, UK intellectual property and AI-assisted productions.
• A fixed fee for the initial review and written action plan.
• Separate fees for applications, trademark searches and contract drafting.
• The quantity of documents, songs and footage included in your review.
• Timescales, follow-up support and any exclusions.

Please quote professional fees separately from government filing fees, third-party costs and applicable taxes. No applications or additional expenses should be incurred without my written approval.

I prefer a staged, fixed-fee engagement, starting with the initial review and protection plan. Detailed unpublished materials will be shared privately after conflict checks and appropriate confidentiality arrangements.