Behind the Screen: Frames in Law for Cinema & TV

#UIARome2027

From creation to distribution: a multidisciplinary approach to the evolving legal landscape of the entertainment industry

This seminar offers a comprehensive and practical overview of the legal, contractual, and business frameworks shaping the film, television, and audiovisual industries. Participants will explore the full lifecycle of audiovisual works, from creation to distribution, with a focus on TV formats, series, miniseries, advertising, and cinematic productions. The program examines the nature of audiovisual content as both intellectual creations and industrial products, highlighting the evolving regulatory landscape governing the sector.

The seminar will cover key legal topics across the industry, including the drafting and commissioning of television programs, the legal structure of TV formats as complex intellectual works, and the licensing of format rights across different jurisdictions. Participants will also examine production and co-production agreements, the role of independent producers, and the contractual frameworks governing the development, financing, and exploitation of audiovisual projects. Particular attention will be given to the distribution of audiovisual works through traditional broadcasting as well as through digital and streaming platforms, together with the legal aspects of literary adaptations for film and television and the relationship between format protection and unfair competition.

The program will also explore the broader regulatory and economic context of the audiovisual industry. Participants will gain insight into competition and market regulation, the economics of the entertainment sector, and the fiscal and financial mechanisms that support film and television production, including public funding schemes and tax incentives available for audiovisual projects. Additional sessions will address labor and social security issues affecting performers and production crews, administrative and civil law aspects relating to cultural institutions and public entertainment activities, as well as licensing, safety, and regulatory requirements for medium- and large-scale productions and audiovisual events.

Particular attention will be devoted to the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on the audiovisual sector. The seminar will examine how AI tools are increasingly used in content development, editing, and post-production, as well as in monitoring and protecting audiovisual works online. Emerging legal issues will be discussed, including the synthetic reproduction of actors’ voices and likenesses, the use of AI-generated performances, and the implications for performers’ rights, image rights, and copyright protection. The program will also address questions related to the training of AI systems using protected audiovisual works, the responsibilities of online intermediaries and digital service providers, and the evolving legal framework governing digital platforms. Finally, the seminar will analyze enforcement mechanisms aimed at combating unauthorized uses of audiovisual works in the digital environment, including copyright enforcement strategies, digital rights management tools, and the liability of internet service providers. Through case studies, panel discussions, and interactive exchanges with in-house counsel from major studios and broadcasters, external legal experts, artists, and industry professionals, participants will gain practical insights into the legal and commercial challenges shaping the contemporary film and television industry.

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We are looking forward to welcoming you to Rome!