Hollywood Road

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The two days of the weekend were fleeting. On Monday morning, Jordan Belfort, who has always followed the box office trend of "The Wolf of Wall Street", welcomed a newly hired lawyer who understands Hollywood and the entertainment industry in his home.

The box office of "The Wolf of Wall Street" was so jealous that he was drooling. Even if the income he got was used to repay the debts judged by the court, he would be able to pay off a large amount. If he could win more, maybe he would You can buy a new villa and move out of this small three-bedroom house.

But he knew that all this was not easy, so he found a professional lawyer.

After receiving the contracts handed over by Jordan Belfort, the lawyer carefully read them one by one. After a long time, he said, "Mr. Belfort, frankly speaking, you want to get more from "The Wolf of Wall Street." More income is not easy."

Jordan Belfort stood up, "But I deserve it! "The Wolf of Wall Street" got close to 40 million U.S. dollars at the box office last weekend, and the North American box office has accumulated 142.75 million U.S. dollars! I should. Get more income!"

"I need to remind you, Mr. Belfort." The lawyer looked very professional. "The copyright transfer contract you signed does not involve any dividends. The US$3 million in copyright fees you get is a one-time sale, which means that the film is sold out. The follow-up income has nothing to do with you."

"I was cheated!" Jordan Belfort said anxiously. "I was cheated by the shameless Murphy Stanton. He promised to let me participate in the screenwriting, and the screenwriter would enjoy dividends..."

The lawyer opened his hands, "There are no such clauses in the contract."

"These are verbal promises!" Jordan Belfort emphasized, "verbal promises!"

The lawyer didn’t say anything, but made it clear that he didn’t believe what he said. He is a lawyer who has been serving in the Hollywood industry. He knows that Murphy Stanton has a very good reputation in this regard and has always followed the "paying for rewards". Unwritten guidelines, in contrast, the infamous guy on the other side is a standard liar.

If it weren't for Jordan Belfort's very considerable attorney fees, this matter has a certain degree of operability in accordance with industry practices, he would not take it.

Who is Jordan Belfort, he immediately understood the expression on the lawyer's face, and his nose was almost crooked.

"I'm a liar, am I?" He couldn't help raising his voice, "How much money did I swindle? Look at Murphy Stanton, "Man of Steel" cheated more than $200 million from the audience. Dividends, "Shameless Bastard" also has more than 100 million dollars, right? He is the real scammer, and I am insignificant in front of him."

"It's really insignificant."

The idea flashed through the lawyer's head, and although he didn't say it, he still followed, "No matter how you look at it, what you are talking about is legal income."

Hearing this, Jordan Belfort was on fire. "Are you my lawyer or Murphy Stanton's lawyer?"

"I'm just talking about the matter." The lawyer is neither humble nor humble.

"You..." Jordan Belfort unconsciously stretched out a hand and pointed at the lawyer. He just wanted to say something, but was interrupted by the lawyer, "Mr. Belfort, let's get it right."

Jordan Belfort forced the words back into his stomach, sat back on the sofa, and said, "Well, I don’t want to pay dividends! But Murphy Stanton and the movie "The Wolf of Wall Street" violated my law. rights and interests."

The lawyer took out his pen and notebook and asked, "What are the specifics?"

"The final ending scene!" Jordan Belfort emphasized, "This is not in line with my autobiography, and I have reformed, but he portrayed me as still a liar! This has damaged my reputation, and I can sue. he!"

"You do have such power."

Having said that, the lawyer reminded, "But Mr. Belfort, there are clear provisions in the American entertainment law that the facts on which the film is adapted are not protected by copyright or trademark law. The parties are concerned about the facts they have experienced. Does not have rights. No law clearly stipulates that movies based on real people must obtain the authorization of the parties involved."

"What?" Jordan Belfort didn't understand this before, and said in amazement, "How is this possible! Murphy Steinman clearly violated my legal rights, can't I still be held accountable?"

"Filmmaking is the freedom of Hollywood and production companies, but the premise is that the legal rights of individual citizens cannot be violated."

Hearing what the lawyer said, Jordan Belfort nodded lightly. That's right, this kind of thing is good for him.

But the lawyer went on to say, “The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for this. As a way of expressing speech, movies are naturally protected by it. If the material used in a movie comes from public records, such as news reports. , Public information, official registration information, etc., its creation is not restricted. Also, if a film can be authorized by the reporter who reports on something, it also has legal copyright."

Jordan Belfort's expression just relaxed, immediately tightened again.

The lawyer’s words did not stop, and continued, “According to what I have learned, Murphy Stanton has collected enough information about you before to prove that the plot of the film is true. The newspaper’s authorization is also supported by the court. If you want to sue him in this respect, the chance of winning is very small. Not only will you not get the money, you may also incur a large amount of litigation costs.

This is not the era when Jordan Belfort is rampant, nor is it the financial industry he is familiar with, and there is no support from interest groups behind him.

After thinking for a while, Jordan Belfort gradually calmed down and said coldly, "Is there nothing I can do with the shameless liar Murphy Stanton?"

"This is the service I can provide." The lawyer said confidently. "Mr. Belfort, this is also the purpose of your looking for me, isn't it?"

Jordan Belfort was silent for a long time, then nodded slightly and said, "What can you do?"

The lawyer said slowly, "We are still suing Murphy Stanton and his adaptation of "The Wolf of Wall Street" for infringing your legal rights, and then demanding an apology and compensation."

"Huh?" Jordan Belfort didn't know much about Hollywood. He couldn't understand what the lawyer wanted to do, so he couldn't help asking, "Didn't you refuse me when I said this before?"

"Because you are litigating for the sake of litigation, and I am not doing it for litigation!" The lawyer can see that the once-wolf of Wall Street is outdated, and had to explain, "The purpose of our lawsuit is to force Murphy Stanton to do Make a concession, settle with you out of court, and pay you a certain amount of compensation."

Jordan Belfort opened his eyes wide. "This is fine too?"

"Of course." The lawyer nodded vigorously. "In recent years, lawsuits against Hollywood directors and producers for infringement have increased. Many directors have encountered true or false infringement lawsuits, but I have studied most of them. Found one thing in common."

"What do you have in common?" Jordan Belfort gritted his teeth. "Is there any shameless person in Hollywood like Murphy Stanton?"

The lawyer looked up at Jordan Belfort. Murphy Stanton is indeed not a good person, but when it comes to credibility, this outdated guy has a hundred streets.

However, he is still a very professional lawyer, ignoring the words of Jordan Belfort, and continuing, "In the cases I studied, more than 99% of people and companies eventually chose to work with the prosecutors. Court settlement."

Jordan Belfort asked, "Why?"

The lawyer explained again, "These prosecutors will reasonably control their greed and limit the compensation required to a certain amount. This way, compared with the cost of out-of-court settlement, the time cost of litigation is And various costs are even more expensive for the producer!"

"In other words..." Jordan Belfort understood, "In order to save time and expense, once we sue, Murphy Stanton is likely to choose to settle with us out of court?"

The lawyer said with confidence, "This probability is more than 80%. The time of major directors is very precious, and they also want to attack the Oscars, even if they are nominated for Oscars, they will compromise with us!"

Eighty percent?

Hearing this number, Jordan Belfort stood up and walked a few steps. Eighty percent is already a very, very high probability.

"Are you sure?" he asked again.

"Very sure!" The lawyer carefully analyzed, "Murphy Stanton's work plan is basically that after a movie is released, preparations for a new film will begin soon, and his time is very precious..."

He glanced at Jordan Belfort again, and didn't say the saying, "Murphy Stanton will definitely not waste time on a small person like you".

"That's good!" Jordan Belfort needed money badly, and quickly made a decision. "Let's do it."

"There is one thing I need to declare in advance, Mr. Belfort." The lawyer suddenly said, "I know Murphy Stanton's lawyer Robert, and I can communicate with him in private, so regardless of the amount of compensation after an out-of-court settlement is reached in the future. How many, 50% of which belong to my honorarium!"

"It's impossible!" Jordan Belfort refused without even thinking, "I have already paid you a large amount of legal fees."

The lawyer shook his head, "Let's put it this way, my private communication with Attorney Robert is the key. If you think you can invite other lawyers to do this, then please be smart."

As he spoke, he packed his briefcase and was about to stand up and say goodbye.

Jordan Belfort quickly raised his hand to stop him, and said, "May I think about it?"

"Of course." The lawyer smiled slightly, "Please hurry, time is precious!"

"No later than tomorrow night." Jordan Belfort said.