Entertainment Dispute Resolution

JAMS provides private mediation, arbitration and other ADR services for film, television, music, digital media and related industries, including neutral analysis, mock exercises, appellate services and certain court-appointed services where appropriate. We help parties resolve high-stakes contractual, financial, intellectual property and reputational disputes with a clear understanding of the business realities of the entertainment industry.

Independent, Confidential Dispute Resolution for the Entertainment Industry

Entertainment disputes frequently involve significant financial exposure, profit participation claims, royalty accounting, intellectual property rights and high-profile talent relationships. Many arise under public scrutiny or against time-sensitive production, distribution or release schedules.

While these matters are often vigorously contested, they frequently involve parties who must continue working together in future productions, licensing arrangements or creative collaborations. JAMS provides a private forum for efficient, business-minded dispute resolution, supported by experienced neutrals and professional case management.

From royalty and rights disputes to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), AI and other emerging media issues, JAMS provides confidential ADR services across a wide range of entertainment matters.

For matters involving professional and collegiate athletics, please visit our Sports practice page

Entertainment Dispute Resolution Services

Film and Television

Production disputes
Distribution agreement disputes
Profit participation and accounting disputes
Option and purchase agreement disputes
Completion, post-production and delivery disputes
Rights clearance, chain-of-title and underlying rights matters
Talent agreement disputes
Broadcast licensing, regulatory and related media rights disputes
Copyright disputes, including fair use and transformative use questions
Name, image and likeness (NIL) disputes, including digital replica and deepfake-related claims

Music

Royalty disputes
Recording contract disputes
Publishing and songwriter-split disputes
Catalog sale disputes, including earnouts and representations and warranties
Synchronization and licensing disputes
Copyright disputes involving sampling, interpolation, fair use and transformative use
Band, label, joint venture and partnership dissolution matters

Digital Media and Emerging Technologies

Influencer and creator agreement disputes
Sponsorship and endorsement disputes
Streaming and content licensing disputes (SVOD, AVOD, FAST)
Video game publishing and licensing disputes
Esports dispute resolution
Artificial intelligence and large language model-related contract and intellectual property disputes
Disputes involving synthetic media, digital replicas, deepfakes and other AI-enabled content uses
Publishing, advertising, visual arts and design-related disputes

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Why JAMS for Entertainment Dispute Resolution?

Confidentiality

Entertainment disputes often involve sensitive deal terms, royalty data, unreleased creative works, internal communications and reputational concerns. JAMS provides a private forum that can help protect commercially sensitive information while allowing parties to address disputes outside the public spotlight.

Entertainment-Focused Neutrals

JAMS entertainment neutrals include former judges and accomplished practitioners with experience handling complex disputes across film, television, music, digital media and related commercial matters. They understand the contractual frameworks, rights issues, royalty and accounting disputes, licensing structures and business pressures that shape entertainment disputes.

Flexibility

Entertainment disputes do not all require the same path to resolution. Mediation is often an effective first step, particularly when parties want to protect confidentiality, preserve business relationships or explore practical business solutions before moving to a more formal process. When a binding or more adjudicative process is needed, JAMS also offers arbitration and other ADR services. This range of options is especially valuable when disputes arise under active production, release or distribution timelines.

National Reach

JAMS supports entertainment disputes in major industry centers, including Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Miami and Austin, as well as through virtual and hybrid proceedings nationwide. This allows parties and counsel to access experienced neutrals and coordinated case administration wherever a matter is centered.

Entertainment Mediators, Arbitrators and ADR Neutrals

JAMS entertainment neutrals help resolve disputes involving studios, production companies, record labels, distributors, digital platforms, investors, rights holders and individual talent. Their experience spans royalty accounting, profit participation, rights and licensing, digital distribution models, creator and talent agreements, NIL and publicity-related claims, and disputes emerging from AI and large language model technologies.

In addition to mediation and arbitration, JAMS also offers neutral analysis, mock exercises, appellate-related services and certain court-appointed roles, depending on the needs of the matter.

Neutrals

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