Aspiring screenwriter Jen Montgomery has created a treatment and written the first act of a screenplay about Britney Spears' guardianship based on a New York Times article entitled "Britney Spears Quietly Pushed for Years to End Her Conservatorship," as well as never before publicized information from Ms. Montgomery's interviews with Britney's family members (including her estranged father and sister), lawyers (for Britney and her family), fans and experts. Ms. Montgomery's agent has set up a meeting with Paramount to discuss the project. Jen asks if there is anything she needs to consider before pitching the screenplay, and what advice you have about entering into an option agreement. Please answer the following questions:

1. Based on the topics covered in the first half of the class (copyright infringement, idea theft, misappropriation of name and likeness, defamation, invasion of privacy), what types of "clearance" checks should Ms. Montgomery perform?
2. What terms (price, length of option period, extensions) should Ms. Montgomery push for in an option agreement? What terms will Paramount likely ask for that may be problematic for Ms. Montgomery?