A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

excerpts from Wall Street Journal article:

 Lawyerese Goes Galactic as Contracts Try to Master the Universe

 

Decked out in sequined black and gold dresses, Anne Harrison and the other women in her Bulgarian folk-singing group were lined up to try out for NBC's "America's Got Talent" TV show when they noticed peculiar wording in the release papers they were asked to sign.
 
Any of their actions that day last February, the contract said, could be "edited, in all media, throughout the universe, in perpetuity."
 
Lawyers for years have added language to some contracts that stretches beyond the Earth's atmosphere. But more and more people are encountering such everywhere-and-forever language as entertainment companies tap into amateur talent and try to anticipate every possible future stream of revenue.

 

Eric Goldman, an associate professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law who specializes in intellectual-property and Internet law, says the language could be "a stroke of brilliant foresight." Some day, Mr. Goldman adds, people might ask, "What were they thinking? Why didn't they get the Mars rights?"
 
 
full @ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125658217507308619.html#mod=todays_us_page_one
 
 

---

---

Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.