Greg Ruback

Of Counsel, Bristows

Greg is a specialist lawyer in the film and television sector, having spent ten years working in-house for two major Hollywood studios in London and Los Angeles. He also spent nine months on secondment at one of the UK’s biggest terrestrial TV broadcasters.

Greg’s experience covers the full cycle of production and distribution of motion pictures and television content, from acquiring and developing IP, to licensing, marketing and distributing finished content across all media. In addition, Greg’s work includes providing business and legal affairs advice to senior stakeholders in relation to commercial IP and IT transactions for media companies and their co-promotion partners and associated suppliers, including brands, social media influencers, digital agencies, creative services and event management vendors.

As a lawyer licensed in both England and California, Greg is qualified to advise on contractual matters and regulatory regimes for marketing and advertising campaigns in both the UK and the United States.

Contributed to

2

Copyright in film and television—making a new film

Practice notes

This Practice Note considers film and television copyright issues relating to the underlying works encountered during the making of a film. It covers literary works such as scripts, biographies, characters, set design and location, photographs, the right to privacy of certain photographs or films, music, and performances. This Practice Note also covers copyright permitted acts or exceptions that may apply when various works are included in a film—including fair dealing exceptions, incidental inclusion, reporting court proceedings, filming in a public place, and public interest.

TMT

Copyright in films and television programmes

Practice notes

This Practice Note considers copyright issues relating to film and television. It reviews key legislation covering: the definition of a film, the definition of the author of a film, qualifying requirements, the term of protection, the EU Term Directive, soundtracks, broadcast rights and moral rights in relation to films.

TMT