LA Entertainment IP Internet & New Media Blog

Chinese Cash Investment In U.S. Motion Picture Projects?

2010-10-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

Here’s another post from our Chief Asia Correspondent’s unique perspective:

Noticed an interesting article in BusinessWeek:

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_43/b4200023890594_page_2.htm

Everyone always knew there was money in China, but the Orange Sky / Legendary Pictures deal has awakened the Sleeping Giant of the Hollywood Cash Seekers.

Is there a huge pile of cash for movies in China?

The answer is (as usual) yes, and no.

Sure - there is a ton of money here. Real cash equity-- with heavy emphasis on cash.

But if 10 years on the ground here has taught me anything, it's that China is not just a different culture, it's a different planet (and the West is a different planet to them).

Business practices are completely different, motives and reward systems are completely different, thought processes are completely different. And I mean COMPLETELY different.

I've seen Westerners come and go here - mostly go, because they think that the Hollywood Way works everywhere.

It doesn't in China. Not even close.

Executive Producer,

Mark Byers

International Marketing & Advertising to Teens Falls Short

2010-10-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

Here's an astute observation from our chief Asian correspondent, Mark Byers:

Interesting email I just got from AdWeek:

http://teens.adweek.com/

Big promotion for a "What Teens Want Marketing Conference."

But what's missing from this? Sure, it says "Teens Gone Global" in big letters. Yet there's absolutely nothing global about the event (at least from reading the website…).

Living and working in the entertainment industry in Asia has been a real eye opener. Especially in their ideas of what constitutes an "international" film. I keep telling everyone who will listen that the world has changed, and there is no such thing as a Chinese film or an American film or a French film - but in today's world they must all be global films.

And yet the powers that be are still pushing these US-centric (or at least Western-centric) events, as if saying that North American tastes and styles are somehow global.

If we are going global - and all indications at the box-office say we must - then we need to start thinking global. Truly global.

To paraphrase an old adage - think outside the border.

Mark Byers
Executive Producer

New Playbook for Technology Transfer Joint Ventures with Chinese Partners

2010-10-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

U.S. IP-based businesses are changing their game plans when entering into technology transfer joint ventures with Chinese partners. In the past, U.S. business interests where so anxious to gain a foothold in China that they failed to pay the same amount of attention they would in joint ventures with other U.S. or western tech transfer partners when it came to adequately protecting their proprietary intellectual property. The following August 30 Wall Street Journal article discusses various kinds of safeguards that can be employed in technology transfer agreements and joint ventures in attempting to level the playing field:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704913704575453612099883050.html?KEYWORDS=dana+mattioli

Welcome...

2010-10-05T00:43:00.000-07:00

...to the Los Angeles Entertainment, Intellectual Property, Internet & New Media Blog.

We'll endeavor to call attention to interesting news articles and information in the legal and business worlds where entertainment content, intellectual property assets, the Internet and new media opportunities intersect. From time to time we'll call upon our global network of business contacts and consultants to contribute to the effort with the goal of providing a bridge between the diverse business interests and cultures that makeup our worldwide electronic village.