"Entertainment Law, Film & TV" Seminar for Local Industry

Dated: 18 September 2001

The Singapore Film Commission (SFC), the Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) and the Substation will be holding a full-day seminar entitled "Entertainment Law, Film &TV" for Singapore's local film and TV industry. The seminar will be held on Thursday, 11 October 2001 at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) Auditorium of the Civil Service College at 31 North Buona Vista Road, Singapore 275983 (Please see road map at Annex B). It is co-sponsored by SFC and SBA.


The seminar aims to equip current and aspiring filmmakers and TV producers with the useful legal knowledge in film and TV production. It will also address filmmakers' and TV producers' concerns about issues like protection of rights, structuring a production deal and setting up equitable partnerships for better monetary returns.

Dr Ismail Sudderuddin, Director of SFC, said, "The Singapore Film Commission is very excited to collaborate with the Singapore Broadcasting Authority on our first joint seminar. 'Entertainment Law, Film &TV' is being organised in response to feedback from filmmakers and television producers on the need to have a better understanding of the legal issues relating to producing for film and television. I hope that this will be the first of many seminars that SFC and SBA will cooperate on."

Mr Koh Tin Fook, Deputy Chief Executive Officer &Director (Industry Development) at SBA, added, "SBA is also pleased to be co-sponsoring this seminar on the legal aspects with the SFC. We recognise that such a seminar is timely, given that our producers, directors, programme-makers and scriptwriters are looking for fruitful collaboration and co-production with the media industry. They need to be armed with adequate legal knowledge and tools to enable them to strike fair deals that will give them fair returns for their efforts and contributions."

Ms Yuni Hadi, Programme Executive (Film) of The Substation said, "The Substation is glad to be part of the initiative of this seminar because it is so important for filmmakers to have knowledge in all aspects of filmmaking. As an independent filmmaker, it will benefit greatly to know how to protect oneself, and certainly we hope this will be part of the growth of our local filmmakers."

The seminar will be presented by four qualified and animated legal experts who have combined legal expertise on Australia, Hong Kong/ China, Singapore and USA. They will share their practical experiences ranging from Intellectual Property and Copyrights to Film and TV Financing. The four speakers are:

1. (a) Mr Patrick Gorman, of Pierce-Gorman, a US-based entertainment law firm representing entrepreneurs in the world of independent film, TV and the Internet

2. (b) Mr Gary Rogers, Senior Associate, Coudert Brothers, a Sydney law firm with presence in Hong Kong and China which advises on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, infringements and disputes, licensing, contracting, internet start-ups and joint ventures relating to entertainment and media, particularly on intellectual property enforcement in China and Hong Kong

3. (c) Mr Samuel Seow, Advocate and Solicitor, David Chong &Co., a Singapore-based law firm which advises major production houses, writers and production personnel on protection of rights in areas of film and TV production, agreements and other legal instruments locally and overseas.

4. (d) Ms Louise Steer, Senior Associate, Griffith Hack Lawyers, a Sydney-based law firm which handles dispute in fields of intellectual property and has mediated copyrights disputes

Please refer to Annex A for detailed profiles of the experts. The speakers will be sharing their perspectives and practises of Entertainment Law in their respective countries. On the home front, filmmakers and TV producers will get an insight into Singapore Entertainment Laws from Mr Samuel Seow.

The seminar will conclude with a panel discussion and Q &A session based on the existing theme, "Legal Aspects of Film and TV production". More details on the programme can be found in Annex B. A copy of the registration form is attached in Annex C for reference.

The admission fee to the seminar is $50. Interested participants can register by sending a completed registration form and a cheque to Ms Yuni Hadi at The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, Singapore 179936. The form is available for download at www.sba.gov.sg/wnew.htm

ANNEX A

DETAIL PROFILES OF THE EXPERTS
Mr Patrick Gorman of Pierce-Gorman, a full-service U.S.- based entertainment law firm, focuses on representing entrepreneurs in the world of independent film, TV and the Internet. He is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Entertainment Law Section. Mr Gorman will cover topics on film and TV financing, how to obtain different sources of funds and other co-production matters at the seminar.

Mr Gary Rogers, Senior Associate, Coudert Brothers, a Sydney law firm with presence in Hong Kong and China - advises on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, infringements and disputes, licensing, contracting, internet start-ups and joint ventures relating to entertainment and media, particularly on intellectual property enforcement in China and Hong Kong. At the seminar, Mr Rogers will illustrate on how to copyright ideas and script, broadcast license rights and infringement of copyright.

Mr Samuel Seow practises as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore in the legal firm of David Chong &Co. Mr Seow is a member of the International Trademark Association and is sitting on the Intellectual Property Committee of the Law Society of Singapore, and sub-committee of copyrights and design. He has advised major production houses, writers and production personnel to protect their rights in areas of film and TV production locally and ​globally. During the seminar, Mr Seow will talk about different types of agreements and completion bonds with Guarantees.

Ms Louise Steer is a Senior Associate with Griffith Hack Lawyers in Sydney. She handles dispute in fields of intellectual property and has mediated copyright disputes for performing artists for the Arts Law Centre of Australia. Ms Steer is also an accredited mediator and member of the Mediator Panels of the Supreme and District Courts of New South Wales. During the seminar, Ms Steer will touch on Issues in Feature Filmmaking and TV production such as incorporating of Company for your film and TV production, music and other clearances.