ABSTRACT
A resolution of the basic issues of purpose, ownership, governance and funding is essential because it is from this starting point that one can begin assessing the potential day-to-day legal problems of such a venture and possible approaches to solving them. Any entity which proposes to offer services or programs must have a legal means by which it is able to create, acquire and supply those services and programs. There are a considerable number of legal issues related to the international distribution of educational programming by satellite. A lawyer conversant in the intricacies of program financing can help identify the legal structure that offers the best means of securing and protecting the producer’s desired ownership interest in the production. This type of planning, however, has to be done in advance of starting production, and, written understandings with all funders should be signed before production begins.
