C. Matthew Bethancourt

Practice Areas

• Commercial Real Estate
• Business Law; Contracts
• Corporate Law;
• Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property
• Alternative Energy and Renewable Energy

Admitted: 2003, Texas Law School: Southern Methodist University, J.D. Member: State Bar of Texas; Dallas Bar Association (Section on Real Property Law); International Council of Shopping Centers. Born: Austin, Texas

C. Matthew Bethancourt (“Matt”) began his legal career at the Dallas law firm of SettlePou, where his practice involved real estate, health care and general corporate matters. Thereafter, Matt was associated with the Dallas law firm of Liechty & McGinnis, where a large part of his practice involved retail leasing from both the landlord and tenant perspectives. Prior to joining Chaiken Legal Group, Matt was an associate at the Dallas office of the Miami, Florida based law firm, Greenberg Traurig, where his practice was exclusively devoted to commercial leasing, with a particular concentration on retail transactions. Representative client assignments during Matt’s tenure at Greenberg Traurig included the Boston based Franklin Street Properties and the Dallas real estate firm, Hughes Development.

Matt attended Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. Following his undergraduate education, Matt attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, where he was awarded the degree of Juris Doctor. Matt is a member of the State Bar of Texas and its Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section.

Matt Bethancourt focuses his practice on commercial real estate, entertainment (with a focus on the music industry), copyright, trademark, intellectual property and corporate law. Mr. Bethancourt represents individuals as well as public and private companies in a variety of industries, including music, retail (clothing, food and beverage), internet commerce and software development.

Intellectual Property

COPYRIGHT LAW

A copyright arises when an original work is fixed in a tangible means of expression. Literary works, paintings, songs, films, software code, websites and photographs are all examples of works protected by copyright law. We work with clients to identify and protect clients’ copyrightable works.

Examples of legal services we provide:

• Domestic and foreign licensing of Works
• Assisting clients in regaining copyrights by exercising termination provisions and the renewal term provision of The Copyright Act
• Licensing of performance, literary and visual rights
• Copyright clearance
• Work For Hire agreements
• Copyright assignments

TRADEMARK

Examples of legal services we provide:

• Domestic and foreign licensing of trademarks
• Trademark assignments
• Draft and negotiate trademark licenses and distribution agreements

Entertainment law

Music Industry

The music industry is rapidly changing as technology and content begin to converge. To handle the issues raised in this new marketplace and more traditional issues, we offer our clients sophisticated yet practical specialized service and a music industry-centric focus.

Examples of legal services we provide:

• domestic and international record distribution agreements;
• recording agreements
• songwriting and publishing agreements;
• merchandising and touring agreements;
• commercial appearances, endorsements, and sponsorships;
• intra-group agreements for recording artists and business structures;
• film and television music supervisor, music composer and soundtrack album agreements;
• music licensing agreements;
• agency and management representation agreements;
• record producer agreements;
• music and sampling clearances;
• advertising, promotions, and branding; and
• new media and technology.