Part of the vision of the IPF is to better inform pole dancers of their rights, and this essentially comes down to legal rights.
However, we are not qualified nor accredited to give legal advice and so we are hosting a section on legal matters researched and presented by Nick Hogan.
Admitted to practice in 1999, Nick Hogan has obtained a broad range of experience in city firms large and small, before starting his own practice in 2003. Nick has previously worked for large city firm Abbott Tout in Media Law advising the likes of Baz Luhrman and the Cameron Mackintosh Group, specialising in international musical theatre productions. Combined with his previous experience, Nick’s last 5 years of working for small businesses and self-employed individuals means he has a strong understanding of the needs and expectations that dancers will face in furthering their careers.
LEGAL ISSUES FACING POLE DANCERS
Pole dancing as a sport and performance art raises a number of legal issues for dancers, both in their capacity as performers and instructors. Some of the leading dancers with profiles will also need to ensure that safeguards are put in place to ensure that they are promoted in a way which upholds, rather than downgrades, their image - this could be worth money to you down the track.
Here is an outline of some of the areas where the law can play a part in a pole dancer’s life.
Dance CompetitionsThe organisers of dance competitions will often ask the entrants to sign a small contract as part of their entry form for a competition. This may contain conditions (such as a royalty payable for future endorsements or public appearances). Signing these contracts should be carefully thought through because they could prove restrictive on your future activities as a performer.
Running your own competitions brings with it a whole new set of legal variables including security, public liability insurance, and contracts with club owners for the venue usage or hire.
Employment IssuesIf you intend to be represented by an agent or manager you should make sure that any contract you enter into with that person or organization does not see them take an unfair amount of your earnings. Whilst having an agent will play an important role in ensuring your success as a performer, you will be the one doing all the hard work so you should be properly rewarded for it.
Similarly, if you work with a promoter of a particular show there should be a fair written contract in place which sets out your and the promoter’s basic rights and obligations.
Running a Dance School
Having your own dance school is like running any small business so you will need to go through the normal steps to get started, such as registering your business name and entering into a lease for the dance studio space.
If you are in partnership with another dancer you will also need a document setting out how the partnership will run and what happens if you wish to split somewhere down the track and the split isn’t amicable.
Given that pole dancing has a high risk of injury it may also be worth having your students sign a waiver to protect you from any claims they might make against you if they are injured during a class.
Eventually you might also employ other dance instructors, in which case you will need to make sure that workers compensation insurances are in place.
Intellectual Property
You may wish to trade mark the name of your dance school if it is unique and key to differentiating your school from the competition. Or if you have a reputation as a performer you will want to protect your image by stopping others (such as magazines and internet sites) from using it without your permission. Copyright in a photograph generally resides with a photographer but even this is a matter for negotiation depending on the circumstances.
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For further information and assistance on these and any other issues which you will face as a pole dancer please contact Nick Hogan, Solicitor. Click here to email Nick