The robust growth of the Media & Entertainment
(M&E) industry in India over the last few years has been impressive. As per
the report by FICCI-KPMG, this industry is expected to grow further at a
compounded annual growth rate of 15 % per annum over the next five years, to
reach INR 1.4 trillion in 2016. With the advent of new media and the digital
technologies (such as internet 3G, 4G, etc.), there has been a rise in new
segments in entertainment sector such as gaming, animation and VFX, enabling a
dynamic expansion of the M&E industry beyond the traditional sectors of
radio, print, films and television.
With the changing trends in the Indian film
industry and media sector, there is a growing need for documentation like
written contracts and protection of Intellectual Property Rights. Many parties
to contract (ranging from huge film studios to individual artists) have become
extremely proactive in taking disputes to courts for breach of contract, for
instance non-payment or non-fulfillment of commitments from either of the party
involved, or violation of intellectual property rights.
Media industry requires, more than before,
Entertainment Lawyers with specialization in intellectual property aspects and
with basic know-how of the functions that exists within it. These legal experts
are hired by clients to counsel on legal contracts, intellectual property
rights, licenses, and other legal issues in the film, television, music, and
gaming industries.
The entertainment companies may employ them
in-house or hire the advisory services from the law firms specializing in
entertainment field. Their duties include handling either transactional work or
litigation, routine compliances, and sometimes representing before various
forums and courts on behalf of the company in relation to changes in the legal
system with the introduction of the Indian Copyright Act, 2012.
Career
Requirements to be an Entertainment Lawyer
To specialize in the Media and Entertainment Law,
learning about the Indian entertainment industry will help the aspiring lawyers
gain an insight into how this creative industry currently operates. There are
many law education institutes abroad that offer law programs with certificate
in entertainment law for the aspiring lawyers. To support this perspective,
considering law colleges in an entertainment
industry hub will be a wise decision. Besides the regular course on law
subjects, the film studies, cultural studies, communications, literature and
music subjects also constitute the advanced curriculum.
Media & Entertainment Law has a plethora of
opportunities for everyone. With hard work, dedication and a focused approach
you will be content in the long run. Join Asian Law College in Delhi NCR that
offers a 5 year integrated BA LLB program with specialization
in Media Law.
