Pete W. Salsich III

Counsel

P: 314.505.5452

F: 314.505.5453

E: salsich@capessokol.com

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HIGHLIGHT

Production Legal Counsel for numerous television programs and independent films, including film financing structures, rights acquisition, and negotiation with networks.

HIGHLIGHT

Represents the National Sportsmanship Foundation as production legal counsel for the annual "Musial Awards" live event and CBS broadcast showcasing acts of sportsmanship throughout the world.

Experience at Work

Pete is an experienced intellectual property attorney whose practice is focused on advising large and small companies and entrepreneurs regarding the creation, protection and use of intellectual property, in both litigation and transactional counseling, particularly in the media, technology and entertainment industries.

He is an experienced General Counsel who has served in that role for entertainment content and commercial production companies as well as software startups.

Pete has represented television production companies, independent film projects, digital entertainment companies, musicians, artists, talent, music labels, authors, and independent producers in connection with their business formation, deal structure, network contracts, publishing contracts, rights acquisition, IP licensing, and copyright and trademark protection.

He has represented software development companies from formation through Angel and Seed investment to Venture Capital investment, as well as in connection with protection of intellectual property, business structure, software licensing and development contracts, and employment and independent contractor relationships.

Pete is also an experienced intellectual property, entertainment, and trade secret litigator and trial attorney. He has represented comic book authors and publishers, tattoo artists, toy companies, musicians, and artists in infringement, right of publicity, joint authorship, and breach of contract cases, and numerous companies in litigation to protect their trade secrets.

In the Community

Pete is an Adjunct Professor at St. Louis University Law School, where he teaches an upper-level seminar on Intellectual Property for Creative Business and an Intellectual Property Licensing drafting class. He is a frequent guest lecturer at Webster University on Legal issues in the Entertainment Industry for it Professional Development in Film, Television, and Video Production program, and regularly presents Master Classes on Film and the Law and Investing in Film for Cinema St. Louis and the St. Louis International Film Festival.

He serves on the Boards of The Angel Band Project, which provides music therapy programs for victims of sexual violence, and is a member of the Executive Board of the St. Louis University Billiken Club.

He is also a below-average guitar player who surrounds himself with far more accomplished musicians and can occasionally be found around town playing rock-and-roll with the bands “Eighty-One” and “The Occasionals”.

Practice Areas

Entertainment & Media

Intellectual Property

The Screen Lawyer

Awards

  • Missouri Lawyers Media, The POWER List: Sports & Entertainment Law (2023)
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly, The POWER List – Intellectual Property (2022)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® | Entertainment Law – Music; Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television, St. Louis (2007 – Present)

Educational Background

  • J.D., St. Louis University School of Law, magna cum laude (1996)
  • B.A., English, St. Louis University (1986)

Representations

  • The Mike Tyson tattoo artist in his copyright infringement lawsuit over the use of his facial tattoo artwork on another character in the motion picture The Hangover Part II. (Whitmill v. Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Civil Action No. 4:11-cv-752 (E.D. Mo.)
  • General Counsel for software company Coolfire Solutions, Inc. from formation through successful Series A venture capital investment round.
  • General Counsel for entertainment production company Coolfire Studios, LLC, negotiating all contracts for over 20 television shows, as well as commercial productions, documentary films and digital entertainment projects.

Speaking Engagements

  • From Code to Courtroom: Mastering Legal Complexities In the AI Revolution. Social Media Club – Saint Louis. St. Louis, MO. Virtual. (2023)
  • Legalities of Content Creation. Social Media Day San Diego. San Diego, CA. (2022)
  • Say No to Legal Jeopardy. City & Regional Magazine Association Annual Conference. St. Louis, MO. (2022)
  • Master Class: Investing in Film. Cinema St. Louis. St. Louis, MO. (2022)
  • Master Class: Film and the Law. Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival. Cinema St. Louis. St. Louis, MO. (2021, 2022, and 2023)
  • What All You F***s Need To Know About That Content You’re Creating! MaxLawCon. (2021)
  • The Design Phase of Practicing Law – Mapping Out Your Practice. MaxLawCon. (2020)
  • Protect Your Creativity and Maximize Your Opportunities: Intellectual Property and Contracts in the Digital Marketing Universe. American Marketing Association – St. Louis Chapter. St. Louis, MO. (2019)
  • Protect Yourself: Understanding Photography Contracts and Releases. Evolve Photography Conference. Evolve Workshops. St. Louis, MO. (2018)
  • Ask an Entertainment Lawyer Panel. Media Communications Association of STL. St. Louis, MO. (2018)
  • Intellectual Property Issues Are Everywhere: Spotting IP Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities for Business Attorneys. Missouri Bar CLE. Missouri Bar. St. Louis, MO. (2017)
  • Protect Yourself: Understanding Photography Contracts and Releases. Shutterfest Photography Convention. St. Louis, MO. (2017)
  • Ask an Entertainment Lawyer Panel. Media Communications Association of STL. St. Louis, MO. (2017)

Publications

  • “A Delicate Balance: Making Criminal Forfeiture a Viable Law Enforcement Tool and Satisfying Due Process after Unite States v. James Daniel Good Real Property.” Saint Louis University Law Journal. Vol. 39(2). (1995)

Teaching

  • Intellectual Property for Creative Businesses. St. Louis University Law School | Adjunct Professor
  • Intellectual Property Licensing. St. Louis University Law School | Adjunct Professor
  • Legal Issues in the Entertainment Industry. Professional Development in Film, Television, and Video Production Program. Webster University | Guest Lecturer

The Screen Lawyer Podcast

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Firm Programs

Firm Insights

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Colorado

Civic & Community

  • The Angel Band Project | Board Member
  • St. Louis University Billiken Club | Executive Board

Professional Organizations

  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association

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Pete W. Salsich III’s Insights

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Awards & Recognitions

Kahn and Salsich Selected to 2023 POWER List for Sports and Entertainment Law

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Presentations

Salsich to Present on Intellectual Property Rights Related to AI and the Metaverse, AI, Web 2, and Web3 Business and Legal Tips for Creators Event

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