Entertainment
Goodmans Entertainment Group is recognized worldwide as one of the leading practices in Canada, dedicated exclusively to film and television, sports, digital media and book publishing. We assist our clients to structure and optimize production financing, negotiate international co-productions, and complete sales to distributors and broadcasters and streaming services in Canada and abroad.
Our lawyers combine tremendous expertise and years of experience with passion and energy to create future oriented strategies that help our clients succeed. Clients trust us to stay ahead of the ever-evolving entertainment industry trends that are continually transforming the way content is distributed, consumed and regulated. We leverage the sophisticated regulatory work of our Communications Group involving the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission – a distinguishing feature of Goodmans entertainment practice.
We navigate with ease Canada’s complex financing structures and incentives used to finance film, tv and digital productions. Our clients can count on straight-forward advice on Canadian film tax credits, Canadian withholding tax and other tax matters. They also turn to us to document production services, customize talent contracts, deal with Canadian guilds and unions and advise on Canadian foreign investment rules and domestic broadcast regulatory requirements, and to handle acquisitions and dispositions of entertainment companies and provide related corporate, tax and regulatory advice.
Our lawyers are thought leaders in the industry and are frequently asked to comment on developments in entertainment news, host and participate in entertainment panels, teach entertainment law and speak at industry conferences.
Explore People in Entertainment
Meet our teamFeatured Work
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Entertainment
Representing Shaftesbury Inc.
Goodmans LLP represents Shaftesbury Inc., a leading Canadian producer of scripted productions including the well-known and popular TV programs “Murdoch Mysteries," “Frankie Drake Mysteries," “Hudson… -
Entertainment
Launch of Blink49 Studios Inc.
Goodmans LLP acts for Blink49 Studios, a new Canadian-controlled studio venture backed by Endeavor Content… -
Entertainment
Amazon Prime Video Productions Filmed in Canada
Goodmans LLP provides ongoing advice to Amazon Studios re: productions produced or post-produced in Canada which stream on Amazon Prime Video… -
Entertainment
Insight Productions Advice and Legal Counsel
Goodmans LLP has provided legal advice in connection to Canadian production laws, financing of feature films and acted as counsel to Insight Productions - one of Canada's foremost production companies… -
Capital Markets
Boat Rocker Media Completes IPO Raising Gross Proceeds of $170.1 Million
Goodmans LLP acted as legal counsel to the underwriters (RBC Capital Markets and TD Securities Inc.) in connection with Boat Rocker Media Inc.’s (“Boat Rocker Media” or the “Company”) initial public… -
Entertainment
Alcon Entertainment Successfully Produces Six Seasons Series - “The Expanse”
Goodmans LLP represented Alcon Entertainment in connection with its production legal services on all six seasons of the series entitled “The Expanse” filmed in Canada (originally broadcast on SyFy and…
Insights
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Entertainment
Canada Extends Basic Term of Copyright Protection To “Life of Author Plus 70 Years” Starting December 30, 2022
On November 17, 2022, the Government of Canada published an Order in Council to bring into force recent amendments to Canada’s Copyright Act (the “ Act”) which extend the basic term of copyright… -
Entertainment
So You Want To Produce In Canada, Eh?
If you are considering producing in Canada, there’s a lot you not only need to know, but want to know. Why? Because it can save you both time and money - and who doesn’t want that? The discussion… -
Entertainment
Canada to Increase Copyright Term to “Life Plus Seventy Years”
On June 23, 2022, Royal Assent was granted to Bill C-191, an omnibus bill that implements significant amendments to the Canadian Copyright Act (the “Act”). In particular, the legislative… -
Intellectual Property
Lexpert Recognizes the Goodmans IP Team
The Goodmans IP Team is proud to have been recognized in the 26th edition of the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2022.As a group, the Goodmans IP Team was recognized as follows:Intellectual Property… -
Entertainment
Déjá Vu: Canada Reintroduces Legislation to Regulate Online Streaming Services
On Wednesday, February 2, 2022, Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez introduced Bill C-11 titled the Online Streaming Act (the “Bill”), to amend the Broadcasting Act. The Bill is… -
Entertainment
To the Metaverse and Beyond: Correcting Common Misconceptions around NFTs
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have become the latest big thing to come out of the blockchain industry and capture mainstream attention. A wide range of artists, brands, investors, businesses and…
Awards & Recognition
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Chambers Canada Band 1, Media and Entertainment 2023
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The Legal 500 Canada Tier 1, Media and Entertainment 2023
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The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Best Law Firms List Recognized, Media, Entertainment & Sport 2023
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The Legal 500 Canada Tier 1, Media and Entertainment 2022
News & Events
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- 01:00 PM Entertainment
Jaclyn Seidman and Tara Parker at McGill Pre-Law Student’s Society and McGill Women in Leadership’s Women in Law Panel 2023
Jaclyn Seidman and Tara Parker join the Entertainment Law Panel 2023 presented by McGill Pre-Law Student’s Society and McGill Women in Leadership. This program will be offered online (Zoom). The… -
- Entertainment
Tara Parker, Carolyn Stamegna and David Zitzerman at The 2023 Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law Program
Tara Parker, Carolyn Stamegna and David Zitzerman will be speakers at two featured sessions at The Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law Program.Tuesday, February 14, 20239:00am - 4:45pm… -
Banking and Financial Services
Goodmans named one of Canada's Best Law Firms for 2023
We’re pleased to announce Goodmans was once again named to The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Best Law Firms list, recognizing the firm as one of the country’s best law firms for 2023.Goodmans was…