Movers and Shakers: Saphra M Ross on protecting creativity, rights and value
For creatives, an exciting opportunity can open the door to greater visibility, income and growth. But without a clear understanding of the contract, it can also affect the ownership and future value of their work.
Entertainment lawyer Saphra M Ross helps creatives and creative businesses protect their rights, understand their agreements and make informed commercial decisions. Working across music, film, television, publishing, gaming and the creator economy, she provides practical, jargon-free legal advice designed to support creativity rather than restrict it.
In this Movers and Shakers interview, Saphra explains why legal support should begin long before a problem arises, what every creative should consider before signing a contract, and why understanding the value of your work is essential to building a sustainable career.
Saphra, for readers who are meeting you for the first time, how would you describe who you are and the work you do?
I’m an independent entertainment lawyer who believes creatives and creativity deserve to be valued and protected. I work with creatives and creative businesses across the entertainment, media, and creator economy, from musicians, actors, and influencers to gamers, writers, and independent studios. I help clients understand the value behind contracts, protect their rights, and make informed decisions that align with their vision and values.
So whether someone is negotiating a new opportunity or collaborating with other creatives, my role is to provide practical legal advice that supports both their creativity and their commercial goals.
Your website describes you as a legal partner in creativity. What does that mean to you?
It means working alongside creative clients. It’s more than being the person you call when something’s gone wrong. The best legal support starts much earlier. For me, it’s helping creatives and creative professionals protect IP, understand opportunities before they sign, identify risks before they become problems, and build strong legal foundations that support long-term success.
And then also having someone like me to fall back on for legal advice throughout the creative journey and after agreements are signed too. I know creativeswant to focus on their art and building their brand. As a legal partner in creativity, I take care of the legal side of business so my clients can focus on doing what they love.
What first drew you to entertainment law and working with creatives?
Alongside my legal career, I’ve always had my own creative interests, which has given me an appreciation of self-expression and creating something new .I’m aware of the challenges that come with building a career around it and how things can go wrong so entertainment law felt like a natural fit.
Knowing how much of a creative career is shaped by the agreements people sign and the rights they own, and my desire to help is what really drew me. Behind every song, campaign or project is a legal framework that influences ownership, income and future opportunities. I wanted to work in an area where I could work with like-minded people and help people protect the value of what they create while supporting them as they build sustainable careers and businesses.
You talk about bridging the gap between creativity and rights. Why is that gap so important?
Many creatives are experts in their craft but not in the legal and commercial side of the industry. Creative talent alone doesn’t automatically protectsomeone’s work. Rights determine who owns intellectual property, who can exploit it, how revenue is shared and what opportunities remain available in the future.
Many people in the creative industries struggle to build and grow because of challenges with this area. So you can see how important bridging that gap is. I help navigate that connection, providing knowledge and support so clients can make more informed decisions which benefit their career and business without losing out on their rights or the value they have created.
Many creatives are focused on the work itself, but not always on the legal side. What do you wish more creatives understood before signing anything?
I would encourage creatives to remember that in many contracts and agreements there is an allocation of rights, responsibilities and risk, and these have a long-term impact on your career and business. Whether it’s a brand deal, a record deal, or even a collaboration. I understand why you might focus on the excitement of the opportunity, but it’s just as important to understand exactly what you are agreeing to, so the bubble of excitement doesn’t burst later down the line.
You work with musicians, actors, writers, influencers, indie record labels,production companies and creator agencies. What are some of the common challenges they face when it comes to contracts and opportunities?
Although each sector has its own nuances, many of the challenges are surprisingly similar. Creatives are often presented with exciting opportunities but don’t fully understand ownership, payment structures, exclusivity, intellectual property or long-term obligations.
Another common challenge is feeling pressure to sign quickly. Opportunities can move fast in the creative industries, but taking the time to understand an agreement can make a significant difference to someone’s career or business.
Good legal advice helps clients move forward with confidence rather than with uncertainty, nervousness or worry.
Your work is about helping people understand their value. Why do you thinkso many creatives struggle to recognise or protect the value of their work?
Creatives are often deeply invested in making great work, which understandably becomes their priority. The commercial side can feel secondary. Often people don’t consider protecting their work, especially when collaborating with friends and family and put aside the importance of havingan agreement in writing because it’s with someone they know.
Opportunities can feel scarce, making creatives reluctant to ask questions, seek legal advice and negotiate. But understanding your value isn’t necessarily demanding more; it’s recognising what you have created, understanding the rights attached to it, and making informed decisions about how those rights are used. When people understand that, they are better placed to build sustainable long-term careers built on a series of positive experiences and projects.
What does good legal support look like for someone building a creative career or business?
Good legal support should empower people to move forward with clarity, confidence and peace of mind. It should be clear, practical, commercially aware, and tailored to where someone is in their journey. I like to explain options clearly in a way that’s easy to comprehend, helping clients understand both the legal and commercial implications of their decisions and providing advice that supports their long-term goals. Ideally, good legal support comes from someone you can build a trusting relationship with, your legal partner in creativity.
You offer practical, jargon-free advice. Why is it important to make legal guidance feel clear and accessible?
The best legal advice is advice that people can actually understand. Legal concepts can be complex, but they don’t have to be communicated in a way that feels intimidating and confusing. Clients make better decisions when advice is explained clearly and in plain English. It’s important because people in the creative industries come from all walks of life. Making legal guidance accessible helps you to have confidence in understanding your options and making decisions that align with your values and goals.
Have you seen a moment where the right legal advice completely changed theoutcome for a creative or creative business?
One of the things I’ve seen repeatedly is how valuable early legal advicecan bee. Sometimes the most valuable legal advice is about the issue that never becomes a problem because it was addressed at the outset. Understanding exactly what the other party wants from you, and whether you can or want to give it to them, can sometimes mean the partnership isn’t for you. The goal isn’t to pass up opportunities; it’s to make sure they’re theright opportunitiess on terms you understand and align with.
Taking the time to understand an agreement before signing can result in preserving ownership, improving commercial terms, clarifying expectations and avoiding costly misunderstandings later.
What advice would you give to a woman of colour in the creative industries who is being offered an exciting opportunity but feels unsure about the terms?
Firstly, don’t feel that asking questions will jeopardise the opportunity. Wanting to understand an agreement is a sign that you’re taking both yourself and your work seriously. Take the time to understand what you’re being asked to agree to, what rights you’re keeping, what rights you’re granting and whether the terms reflect the value of the opportunity and your work.
If something isn’t clear, seek independent legal advice. Hopefully, you’ll be encouraged to before signing anything. Exciting opportunities and careful decision-making can gohand in hand, and you should never feel pressured to choose one over theother or feel you’ll be seen as difficult for doing so.
When you think about legacy, what do you hope your work makes possible for the creatives and creative businesses you support?
I hope my work gives creatives and creative businesses the confidence to pursue opportunities with clarity, confidence and peace of mind. I would like to further enhance the collaborative nature within the creative industries, where negotiations are fair and protect creatives while being commercially sound for all involved.
When people understand their rights, recognise the value of what they create and have the right legal foundations in place, they’refree to focus on creating, collaborating and growing.
If by being a legal partner in creativity I can help more people in the creative industry see that good legal support is necessary yet accessible, and my clients feel empowered to make informed decisions that create a solid foundation for their work, that’s a legacy I would be proud of.
Connect with Saphra:
LinkedIn – Saphra M Ross
Website – srosslaw.co.uk
