The Legal Structure Behind Different Network Models

What does a podcast network actually include when its purpose can range from ad sales to collaboration or distribution? The answer affects ownership, contracts, revenue, and how the relationship ends. Gordon Firemark has practiced entertainment law since 1992. He has hosted Entertainment Law Update since 2009 and has written The Podcast Blog and New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide. His work focuses on helping podcasters and entertainment businesses understand the legal structure behind their work. He shares practical legal advice for podcast networks and hosts considering joining a network. Listen for: 03:50 – Why define the network’s purpose? 06:57 – What rights does a network acquire? 08:10 – What happens when relationships end? 08:58 – Who owns the RSS feed? 12:36 – Why formalize a collective? 14:33 – Why treat legal work as investment? 18:20 – How should ad payments work? 24:59 – What due diligence protects networks? 31:33 – How should talent be classified? 35:25 – What red flags affect hosts? 40:54 – What belongs in exit terms? CONNECT WITH GUEST: GORDON FIREMARK, ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY | CEO FIREMARK ENTERPRISES Website - https://firemark.com/ LinkedIn -   / gfiremark   Gordon’s podcast rec: Entertainment Law Update - https://www.greatpods.co/p/5bWULsK Gordon’s podcast rec: Legit Podcast Pro - https://www.greatpods.co/p/xhJNCDf Gordon’s podcast rec: Expert Edge Podcast - https://www.greatpods.co/p/XjbMmTg Gordon’s book rec: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0061735361 CONNECT WITH GREG WASSERMAN, HEAD OF RELATIONSHIPS AT RSS.COM Website -   / about   LinkedIn -   / gregwasserman   Newsletter -   / 7405035591270174720   IG -   / podcastnetworkinsights   Greg’s book rec: Return on Courage by Ryan Berman - https://amzn.to/4tIyOXZ Systems, Sponsors, and Partners: Hosted with RSS.com Podcast Hosting - https://rss.com/?via=9f060f Produced by Stories & Strategies - https://storiesandstrategies.ca/ Content Repurposed with Castmagic - https://get.castmagic.io/greg Podcast Project Management with Northflow - https://app.northflow.io/sign-up?via=... Chapters: 0:07:53 - Negotiating network distribution rights 0:12:36 - Legal advice for podcast startups 0:26:44 - Show ownership and legal issues 0:31:33 - Classifying network show talent 0:45:25 - Debating podcast non-compete clauses 1:00:43 - Contract negotiation and strategy tips