Motion Picture Merchandising Agreement
License the film merchandising rights to a distributor with this Motion Picture Merchandising Agreement template.
- The distributor gets an exclusive license within the defined territory to manufacture, advertise, distribute and sell merchandise that incorporates names, characters, and events from the film
- In return, the distributor will pay the film producer a guaranteed minimum compensation amount (a fixed amount paid as an advance against the percentage royalty), and a percentage royalty based on the current wholesale price of the licensed products.
- The producer must approve all products, packaging, labels, advertising, display materials and copyright notices to be used in connection with the licensed products.
- The distributor agrees to protect the producer's property rights and goodwill, and acknowledges that all goodwill and all rights to the materials created by the distributor are the exclusive property of the producer.
- All licensed products must carry the producer's copyright and/or trademark notices (as applicable).
- The distributor must carry standard product liability insurance and advertiser's liability insurance during the term of the Agreement.
- Upon termination of the Agreement, the distributor will have a 90-day period to dispose of all products already manufactured, so long as the Agreement was not terminated for cause.
This Motion Picture Merchandising Agreement template is available as a MS Word download, which is fully editable and customizable to fit your needs.
Film Distributor Assumption Agreement for Residuals
Make sure your film distributors sign this Distributor Assumption Agreement to comply with SAG requirements for payment of residuals.
This agreement is designed to guarantee that Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members receive the residuals they are owed for their participation in your film. To comply with SAG requirements, it is essential that your film distributors sign the Distributor Assumption Agreement.
Purpose of Agreement
SAG mandates that all movie producers obtain signed assumption agreements from their distributors. By signing, the distributor agrees to pay residual payments directly to SAG, rather than to the producer. This process ensures transparency and that SAG members are compensated appropriately and in a timely manner.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
- Payment Terms: The agreement specifies how and when residuals are to be paid to SAG.
- Reporting Requirements: Distributors must submit regular reports detailing residual payments and the associated revenues.
- Audit Rights: SAG retains the right to inspect the distributor’s accounting records to verify revenues earned by the film and the residuals paid.
Applicability
It is important to note that both union and non-union filmmakers must adhere to SAG's residual payment requirements. Compliance is mandatory regardless of the filmmaker's union status.
Obtaining the Agreement
The customizable MS Word template will download automatically to your device immediately after your purchase transaction is completed. Buy once, use it for all your film projects.
Assignment by Author of Copyright in Written Work
Use this easy template Assignment of Copyright to transfer intellectual property rights in a written work.
Purpose of Assignment Agreement
The author assigns all of the author's worldwide copyright in a specified written work over to a publisher or other third party assignee.
Author's Rights
The author retains a personal license to use extracts from the work, but the author must obtain the assignee's permission before using all or a large portion of the work.
Indemnity
The author indemnifies the assignee against any infringement claims resulting from publication of the work.
Format and Use of Template
This Assignment of Copyright template is available in MS Word format. It is fully editable and reusable. Every publisher - print or digital - should have an Assignment of Copyright form available for authors to sign when dealing with any copyrighted work.
This is a generic legal form which can be used almost anywhere. In some jurisdictions, a statutory form may be required.
Work for Hire Agreement for Artists and Writers | USA
Retain illustrators, writers, editors and other independent contractors with this USA Work for Hire Agreement template.
Who can use this Agreement?
Publishing houses and independent publishers can use the contract template to retain the services they need to publish printed or digital content.
Work for hire contracts are the most advantageous arrangements for a publisher. Get this downloadable template contract and tailor it to your exact requirements.
Key Points of Contract
- Work Made for Hire. The contractor agrees to provide the publisher with the services and create the work strictly on a work made for hire basis, for a one-time fee.
- Ownership of Work. The publisher will retain sole ownership and title to the work created by the contractor under the Agreement.
Format and Scope of Document
This is a reusable legal template in MS Word format. Buy and download the form, use it as often as you require.
The Work for Hire Agreement template was prepared in accordance with the laws of the United States and should only be used within that jurisdiction.
Option Agreement for Rights to Original Screenplay
Secure your option for worldwide rights to an original screenplay with this Option Agreement template.
Who are the parties to the Option Agreement?
The parties to the Option Agreement are (i) the writer of the screenplay, and (ii) a film producer seeking to option global motion picture, exploitation and merchandising rights for the screenplay.
What rights are granted under the option?
The writer grants the producer an exclusive and irrevocable option to purchase the rights to the screenplay.
If the option is exercised, the producer would have the right to make sequels, prequels, remakes and TV series based on the work, for which the writer will be paid a percentage of the net profits.
What is included in the template?
This downloadable template also includes:
- Short Form Option Agreement for recording at the Copyright Office,
- Short Form Copyright Assignment, and
- Quitclaim Release of Interest in Literary Property.
Format and Legal Applicability
The Option Agreement for Rights to Original Screenplay is a downloadable and fully editable MS Word document. Buy the form once, use it as often as needed.
This is a generic legal document which can be used almost anywhere.
