What does Errors and Omissions (E&O) mean?
Errors and Omissions (E&O) refers to a type of professional liability insurance policy required for film and television productions before distribution. An E&O policy protects the production against legal claims arising from the content of the film or show — including claims of copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy, or unauthorized use of a person’s likeness. Distributors, broadcasters, and streaming platforms typically require a valid E&O policy before agreeing to distribute a finished production.
Example:Before the independent film could be sold to a streaming platform, the producers were required to obtain an E&O insurance policy — which required them to clear all music rights and verify that no real people were defamed in the script.
Example: The parent of a child featured in a documentary asked the producer whether E&O insurance was in place, confirming that the production had properly cleared the rights to use her child’s likeness in the finished film.
Did you know?
E&O insurance premiums for films can range from a few thousand dollars for a small independent production to over $20,000 for a major studio release. Before issuing a policy, the insurance company typically requires a legal clearance report verifying that all third-party content — music, footage, names, and likenesses — has been properly licensed.
You can also find “Errors and Omissions (E&O)” and related terms in this category: Entertainment Law.
