SERVICES

Contracts and Licenses
Because game development, music, art, literature, and other creative works are so deeply intertwined with intellectual property law, precisely-worded contracts will be foundations of success for clients in those industries. Whether it is a Development Agreement, Publishing Agreement, Recording Agreement, Band Partnership Agreement, Independent Contractor Agreement, Work For Hire, or any other kind of contract, Liz can meticulously review, draft, revise, or negotiate it to suit the client’s unique needs and goals.

Licenses are very specialized contracts that give the user the right to use existing software, sound files, the likeness of a person, code, or other content owned by another party as long as certain requirements are met. Licenses can be drafted and revised like any other contract. At the same time, Liz assists clients in understanding and complying with existing licenses such as End User License Agreements and the open source licenses (Creative Commons, MIT, etc).

Intellectual Property
Your creations, whether they are games, songs, programs, branding materials, or other tangible creative works, are the result of your hard work and unique creative vision. At the same time, they are also your most valuable business assets. Thankfully, these assets are protected by copyright and trademark laws. Liz routinely helps clients make sure that all copyrights, trademarks, and other IP assets they create are protected through appropriate contracts, licenses, and registrations with government agencies.

Video Game and Software Concentration
Because Liz has a deep understanding of and appreciation for the video game and software industries, she works very well with clients facing the unique challenges of those fields. Being an active participant in the Boston-area game development community, lifelong gamer, and tech enthusiast, Liz has a keen personal interest in her clients’ products and in the business and legal developments of the game and technology industries generally.

Business Formation
Whether you are a game studio, software developer, a band, or anything in between, forming a legal entity for your business such as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or corporation can provide you with essential legal protections against certain types of financial losses and give your business a large boost in prestige. In fact, parties with whom you may do business (crowdfunding platforms, publishers, distributors, investors, etc.) may prefer or even require your business to be formally organized and have certain contracts in place between people who are co-owning or running the business together. Liz has helped many clients navigate the processes of selecting a business entity appropriate for their individual situation, drafting the required paperwork, filing with the correct government offices, and writing the operating agreements and other documents that define how the business will be managed.

Employment Issues
Whether you are seeking a new job or running a business, Employment Agreements that define the rights and responsibilities of the business and the person being hired are essential to stability and protection for both sides. Common employment-related issues that Liz works on with clients are Non-disclosure Agreements, Revenue Shares, Noncompetes and their impact on an employee’s ability to freelance, Inventions clauses and how they affect intellectual property owned by either party, Work Made For Hire Agreements, and Employee Contracts.

Internet Issues
Most artists, game developers, and other professionals rely on a strong internet presence in order to reach their audiences and distribute their products. Although advancing technology is exciting, there are special legal considerations that can be confusing to people doing business online. Liz assists clients in these circumstances by drafting, revising, negotiating, and analyzing End User License Agreements, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policies.