Michele Robichaux

Michele is an attorney at Odin Law and Media. Her transactional law experience has led her to specialize in the legal issues that affect creators of all kinds. With an extensive background as a Big Law associate, In-house counsel for US and European social media and entertainment companies, and as legal and business advisor to clients in both the US and Europe, she brings not only skill and know-how but also diverse experience and perspective to her clients. She can be reached at michele at odin law dot com.

The Hidden Contract Trap in Creator Brand Deals

In the creator economy, brand collaborations often flow through intermediary agencies that position themselves as a gateway to major advertisers and high value brand opportunities. What many creators do not realize is that these deals frequently rely on a legal structure that leaves them with considerable exposure and limited recourse. At the center of the …

The Hidden Contract Trap in Creator Brand Deals Read More »

What Creators Need to Know Before Running a Promotion

Promotional giveaways and contests have become some of the most powerful engagement tools for creators and brands across social media. Their popularity stems from results that are difficult to ignore: giveaway posts can generate up to 64 times more comments and 3.5 times more likes than standard posts, and 91% of all posts with over …

What Creators Need to Know Before Running a Promotion Read More »

The Game Developer’s Guide to AI Governance

Advanced or deep learning AI, particularly generative AI and large language models (LLMs), is revolutionizing the video game industry. These tools accelerate development, enrich gameplay, and enable personalized, dynamic experiences. AI has grown from rudimentary pathfinding and procedural generation to systems capable of nuanced NPC behavior and real-time narrative adaptation, creating “Living Games”. Yet, with …

The Game Developer’s Guide to AI Governance Read More »

Why Every Creator Needs an AI Policy for Their Team

As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly integrated into creative workflows, content creators face a growing need to formalize their internal practices. Even when AI-generated content doesn’t appear in the final product (and the prevailing sentiment among creators generally leans against its use in finished work) most creators or their teams are leveraging AI tools at …

Why Every Creator Needs an AI Policy for Their Team Read More »

Reaction Videos and Their Copyright Implications

Reaction videos, in which creators capture and share their responses to content such as video games, music, viral trends, and movies, have emerged as one of YouTube’s most compelling and popular genres. In fact, recent studies reveal that over half (54%) of YouTube viewers prefer watching creators react to events rather than viewing the original …

Reaction Videos and Their Copyright Implications Read More »

Why Video Game Companies Need Privacy Policies and Why Copy-Pasting Won’t Work

With games collecting vast amounts of user data—ranging from usernames and IP addresses to payment information and in-game behaviors—having a clear and compliant privacy policy isn’t just a good practice; it’s a legal requirement. However, simply copying and pasting another company’s privacy policy is a dangerous shortcut that can lead to serious legal consequences. Legal …

Why Video Game Companies Need Privacy Policies and Why Copy-Pasting Won’t Work Read More »

When Should Companies Start Thinking About Trademark Registrations?

The Answer: The Earlier, the Better! More and more we are seeing companies in the games space having to change the names of their studios or games – or having to pay a prior rights owner for the right to keep using the name. Why? Usually it’s because the companies in question did not file …

When Should Companies Start Thinking About Trademark Registrations? Read More »

Why Game Developers Should Do Their Due Diligence on Game Names Before Launch

The gaming industry is more competitive than ever, with thousands of games released annually across various platforms. While developers focus on gameplay mechanics, graphics, and marketing strategies, one critical aspect often overlooked is the legal viability of a game’s name. Failing to conduct thorough research before launching a game can lead to costly consequences, including …

Why Game Developers Should Do Their Due Diligence on Game Names Before Launch Read More »

Reverse Trademark Infringement: The OpenAI Case and Its Implications

Trademark disputes are common in business. Most cases involve a smaller entity allegedly infringing upon a well-known brand. However, reverse trademark infringement flips this dynamic. It occurs when a larger, more prominent company is accused of infringing upon the already existing trademark of a smaller, lesser-known entity, leading to brand dilution and consumer confusion. Understanding …

Reverse Trademark Infringement: The OpenAI Case and Its Implications Read More »

The U.S. Copyright Office’s AI Report Part II: AI Creations May Be Copyrightable (With Enough Human Involvement)

After months of anticipation, the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO) has published the second part of its three-part report on the copyright issues raised by artificial intelligence (AI). Titled “Copyrightability,” this part focuses on whether AI-generated content is eligible for copyright protection in the U.S. The key takeaway? AI-generated works can be eligible for copyright protection—if …

The U.S. Copyright Office’s AI Report Part II: AI Creations May Be Copyrightable (With Enough Human Involvement) Read More »