Intellectual Property (IP) & Audiovisual Production Contracts in the Digital Age

Legal protection for creators, producers, and brands in the modern media landscape

In today’s digital communication environment, where audiovisual content defines brand identity and global reach, legal precision in intellectual property ownership and licensing terms is not merely a technical matter it is the foundation of commercial security.

At Δικηγορικό γραφείο, we advise production companies, creative studios, advertising agencies, and artists on how to structure, negotiate, and enforce audiovisual production agreements that protect creative ownership and prevent future disputes, in full compliance with Greek Law 2121/1993, EU Directive 2001/29/EC and the Berne Convention.

The Common Legal Trap: “Indefinite Digital Use”

Many audiovisual production contracts still contain ambiguous phrases such as “indefinite rights for digital use”.
While seemingly harmless, this wording effectively amounts to a perpetual and unrestricted transfer of copyright, depriving creators of future control and remuneration.

This contractual ambiguity often leads to:

• Unintentional loss of ownership over creative works;

• Inability to charge additional fees for extended or renewed use;

• Conflict with the author’s inalienable moral rights under EU and Greek law.

Defining the precise scope, duration, and channels of use is therefore essential, not only for protecting the producer, but also for ensuring the client’s legitimate rights are properly licensed and enforceable.

Greek and EU Legal Framework for Creative Ownership

Under Law 2121/1993 on Copyright, Related Rights, and Cultural Matters, creators retain:

• The economic right (property right) to exploit and monetize their work and

• The moral right, which is non-transferable and includes recognition of authorship and protection against distortion or unauthorized modification.

In the context of advertising, branded storytelling, or digital campaigns, these rights intersect with:

• Performers’ image and publicity rights,

• Composers’ and producers’ rights to original music and sound design,

• The use of trademarks and logos within audiovisual material.

A well-drafted contract acts as the legal architecture that balances and protects all these intersecting rights.

The Essential Clauses of a Modern Audiovisual Production Contract

An effective audiovisual production agreement should clearly include:

• Explicit copyright ownership of all creative assets (footage, editing, music, sound design, animation, graphics).

• Limited license of use (non-exclusive, non-transferable, time-bound) defining media, territory, and duration.

• “Ownership upon full payment” clause ensuring no license is activated before full settlement.

• Confidentiality and author-credit provisions.

• Indemnity clause protecting the producer against third-party claims regarding talent or image rights.

• Default and late-payment clauses, including license revocation and interest penalties.

• Choice of law and jurisdiction, governed by Greek law and the courts of Athens.

Case Study: From “Digital Use” to a Fully Protected Agreement

A recent case handled by Δικηγορικό γραφείο involved the production of an international sports campaign where the initial agreement provided only for “digital use.”

Following our legal audit, the contract was revised through a formal Addendum that:

• Defined new short-form cut versions,

• Extended rights to include in-store display,

• Protected music and sound design fully owned by the producer,

• Limited the license to one year, renewable upon agreement,

• Introduced license revocation rights in case of non-payment.

This transformation turned a loosely drafted “digital use” agreement into a structured, revenue-generating IP asset, ensuring our client retained complete creative ownership and recurring value from every subsequent use. This ensured that our client retained full control over their creative IP while securing additional compensation for each new use.

The Role of the Specialized Legal Advisor

Our firm’s expertise in Media, Technology, and Intellectual Property Law enables us to advise on every stage of the creative and commercial process:

• Drafting production and licensing agreements,

• Negotiating music and synchronization rights,

• Managing digital distribution and cross-border IP protection,

• Representing clients in disputes over infringement, licensing, or payment.

Our approach combines legal accuracy, commercial insight, and strategic foresight, ensuring that each contract functions as a business asset, not merely a formality.

Συμπέρασμα

In the fast-evolving digital content industry, intellectual property is capital!
Whether a brand commissions a campaign, a studio delivers creative assets, or an artist licenses music, legal clarity defines ownership, value, and continuity.

Through carefully structured contracts, enforceable licenses, and tailored IP protection strategies, Δικηγορικό γραφείο ensures that innovation and creativity remain securely in the hands of their rightful owners.