Videos
What Should You Think Twice About Before Signing?
Even a short contract can cost you the rights to your screenplay. Screenwriter and director Jiří Andrš and lawyer Rudolf Leška explain what to watch out for when signing a contract, why you should insist on fair compensation, and how artificial intelligence can help you review a contract.
What If the Film Never Gets Made?
How can you secure a fair share of a film’s revenues without losing the rights to your screenplay? Screenwriter Jiří Andrš and lawyer Rudolf Leška explain why it is important to distinguish between revenue and profit and what to watch out for when negotiating revenue-sharing agreements. They also offer advice on how to ensure that the rights to your screenplay revert to you if the film is never made.
How to Negotiate Fair Compensation for a Screenplay?
How can you secure fair compensation when your screenplay moves into production? Screenwriter Jiří Andrš and lawyer Rudolf Leška explain how to negotiate fees, a share of the film’s budget or revenues, and why you should avoid giving up your rights at the start of a project. They also discuss how screenwriters can strengthen their bargaining position when working with producers.
Who Owns Your Film Idea?
How can you protect your film idea and secure fair compensation? Screenwriter Jiří Andrš and lawyer Rudolf Leška explain what rights screenwriters have, what to watch out for when negotiating with producers, and how to secure fair terms of collaboration. They also explain why copyright law protects screenplays but not ideas themselves.
Common Legal Issues Faced by Filmmakers During Film Production
Film director Johana Ožvold and lawyer Ivan David offer practical advice on collaboration between filmmakers and producers. Using real-world examples, they explain how to protect creative contributions, negotiate terms of collaboration, and arrange compensation during film development and distribution. They also provide guidance on how to prevent contractual disputes and when to seek legal representation.
Legal Pitfalls of Adaptations
How can you avoid legal problems when creating works based on real events? Using the play Milena as an example, screenwriter Marek Epstein and lawyer Jan Barták explain when permission is required to use someone else’s texts, how to respect personality rights, and where the limits of artistic freedom lie. They also offer advice on how to prevent legal disputes that could jeopardize the release or staging of a work.
Cirg - about
CIRG – the Cultural Industries Research Group focuses on research into cultural and media industries, particularly on current issues, challenges, and conflicts arising from tensions between intellectual property law, the business models of cultural industries, the digitalization and platformization of cultural sectors, and changing consumer habits. The group’s name is an acronym of its English title, Cultural Industries Research Group. CIRG is an informal association of experts from media studies, intellectual property law, media law, media ethics, cultural economics and cultural management, sociology of culture, and data analysis. The group operates on the basis of project-based funding through applied research projects (TAČR, NAKI, EEA and Norway Grants, OP JAK Intersectoral Cooperation), basic research projects (GAČR, ZIF Bielefeld, OP VVV Excellent Research, DFG), as well as contract research (State Cinematography Fund, Association of Audiovisual Producers).
get involved
Screen Industries in Central and Eastern Europe Research Group
SIRG
Charles University
Department of Film Studies
Lab head: Petr Szczepanik
sirg@ff.cuni.cz
PhD
We offer the opportunity to pursue doctoral study focused on developing and carrying out your own research projects in the field of cultural and media industries. The programme can be undertaken at Palacký University Olomouc, Charles University, or the Prague University of Economics and Business under the supervision of leading experts in media studies, cultural economics, digital ethics, and copyright law.
moreStudent Legal Clinic for Authors and Performing Artists
The Student Legal Clinic focuses on a wide range of legal issues, including copyright law. Supervisors overseeing the preparation of each legal opinion are always experts in the relevant field of law. The advice is provided free of charge.
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