If you’re involved in the world of entertainment or aspire to understand the intricacies of Entertainment Law, having a solid understanding of the legal landscape is essential. The following list of the Top 10 Best Books on Entertainment Law provides key insights for professionals, students, or anyone keen on learning more about the legal issues that shape film, music, television, and digital media. These books cover a range of topics from intellectual property to negotiation strategies, providing you with everything you need to thrive in this dynamic field.
Author: Amanda Stevens
A practicing lawyer with a focus on intellectual property and media law.
10. LLC & S-Corporation Beginner’s Guide, Updated Edition: 2 Books in 1
By Steven Carlson
⭐ 4.4/5 (194 ratings)
If you’re a small business owner in the entertainment industry, setting up a proper business structure is crucial. This book is a fantastic resource for learning how to form and manage an LLC or S-Corp. It also highlights how to save on taxes—vital information for anyone working as a freelancer or independent contractor in entertainment.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s perfect for anyone in entertainment seeking to manage their business correctly while minimizing tax burdens.
Fun Fact: Many actors and musicians use LLCs to protect their personal assets while navigating the complex entertainment landscape.
9. The Biz, 6th Edition: The Basic Business, Legal and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry in a Digital World
By Schuyler Moore
⭐ 5.0/5 (2 ratings)
Covering the essential business aspects of the film industry, this updated edition dives into the legal and financial challenges filmmakers face in the digital age. Whether you’re a producer, director, or aspiring entertainment lawyer, this book is a must-have for navigating contracts, distribution rights, and more.
Why You’ll Love It: It offers a comprehensive guide to the complexities of film production from a legal standpoint, making it invaluable for anyone involved in filmmaking.
Fun Fact: Schuyler Moore is not only an author but also a practicing entertainment lawyer who has worked on numerous high-profile Hollywood projects.
8. The Business of Television: Updated and Expanded Second Edition
By Ken Basin
⭐ 5.0/5 (2 ratings)
This book is a fantastic resource for anyone working in television. It covers the legal and business aspects of producing TV shows, from development deals to syndication. The updated second edition includes new sections on streaming services and digital media, ensuring its relevance in today’s market.
Why You’ll Love It: With the rise of streaming platforms, this book provides essential information on navigating deals in the ever-evolving world of television.
Fun Fact: Ken Basin has worked with some of the biggest names in television, including NBC and Sony Pictures Television.
7. Hollywood Dealmaking: Negotiating Talent Agreements for Film, TV, and Digital Media (Third Edition)
By Dina Appleton
⭐ 4.7/5 (84 ratings)
This third edition focuses on the intricacies of negotiating contracts for talent in the entertainment industry. It covers legal agreements for film, television, and digital media—essential for anyone involved in entertainment law or talent management.
Why You’ll Love It: Appleton breaks down complex negotiations into easily understandable steps, making this book a valuable tool for lawyers and agents alike.
Fun Fact: Dina Appleton has been involved in negotiating some of the most lucrative talent deals in Hollywood.
6. Hollywood Dealmaking: Negotiating Rights and Talent Agreements for Film, TV, and Digital Media (Fourth Edition)
By Dina Appleton
⭐ 5.0/5 (2 ratings)
Another must-read from Dina Appleton, this fourth edition is fully updated to reflect changes in digital media. The book delves deep into negotiating contracts, rights, and royalties in the rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s an indispensable resource for entertainment lawyers focusing on digital media, television, and film.
Fun Fact: This book includes examples of real-life deals, offering unique insights into how the biggest deals in Hollywood were made.
5. Simple Sabotage Field Manual
By United States Office of Strategic Services
⭐ 4.3/5 (222 ratings)
Though originally intended for use during WWII, this manual offers a fascinating look into how sabotage was used as a tactic in communication, industry, and even entertainment. While not an Entertainment Law book, it’s a great resource for understanding the broader context of legal strategies.
Why You’ll Love It: It offers unique historical insights that can be applied to the modern-day entertainment industry, especially in navigating high-stakes negotiations.
Fun Fact: The U.S. government declassified this manual decades after it was used to influence global communication during wartime.
4. Notary Journal: Official Notary Log Book to Record Notarial Acts
By UNESS Creative Publishing
⭐ 4.0/5 (2 ratings)
This logbook is crucial for those involved in the legal aspects of entertainment, especially when it comes to notarizing contracts. It provides an easy-to-use format for tracking notarial acts—perfect for lawyers, managers, or agents.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s a practical resource for anyone working with entertainment contracts requiring notarization, ensuring that all legal steps are properly documented.
Fun Fact: Many high-profile deals in entertainment require notarized signatures, making a notary journal a must-have for legal professionals.
3. The Business of Television: Updated and Expanded Second Edition
By Ken Basin
⭐ 5.0/5 (2 ratings)
Another hit from Ken Basin, this book takes a deep dive into the economics and business structures of television, making it essential reading for anyone looking to enter the TV industry or negotiate contracts.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s one of the most comprehensive guides on television law and business, ensuring you’re prepared for the industry’s challenges.
Fun Fact: This edition includes detailed case studies from popular shows on major streaming platforms.
2. People: Celebrate the 80’s
By Editors of People Magazine
⭐ 4.4/5 (44 ratings)
While not strictly a law book, this celebration of the 1980s highlights the cultural shifts in entertainment that significantly impacted the legal industry. From music to television, the 80s were a pivotal era in the shaping of today’s entertainment laws.
Why You’ll Love It: It’s a nostalgic dive into the entertainment industry’s most transformative decade, giving context to many current legal challenges.
Fun Fact: Many groundbreaking entertainment contracts from the 80s laid the foundation for modern entertainment law.
1. This Business of Music, 10th Edition
By M. William Krasilovsky
⭐ 4.4/5 (151 ratings)
Widely considered the Bible of the music industry, this comprehensive guide covers everything from recording contracts to royalties. If you’re serious about understanding entertainment law, particularly in the music industry, this is the book you need.
Why You’ll Love It: It covers all legal aspects of the music industry in detail, from contracts to distribution, making it essential for any music professional.
Fun Fact: This book has been used by artists and lawyers alike for decades to ensure their rights and royalties are protected.
Check out some more Top10 categories at www.top10books.org
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”