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The Legal Beat: The Role of the Music Manager
IF YOU ARE an artist, your personal manager is the captain of your ship. Your manager will be your main advisor on your entertainment career and will help you choose ... -
The Legal Beat: The Stairway Does Lead to Heaven
As every rock aficionado knows, in 1971 Led Zeppelin released their iconic hit song “Stairway to Heaven” (“Stairway”). It was written by lead guitarist Jimmy Page and singer Robert Plant. ... -
The Legal Beat: So You Want To Be A Music Attorney
How does one become a music attorney? I started out as a business litigation attorney. After a number of years, I transitioned into music law, drafting and negotiating contracts. Everyone’s ... -
The Legal Beat: Beyond The Standard “360” Record Deal
In recent years major labels have been almost exclusively offering new artists what are known as “360 deals.” In the traditional major label recording contract the record company only took ... -
The Legal Beat: Beyond the Standard "360" Record Deal
In recent years major labels have been almost exclusively offering new artists what are known as “360 deals.” In the traditional major label recording contract the record company only took ... -
The Legal Beat: Beware the New Gig Law
There is a new law in California that will take effect Jan. 1, 2020. California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), also referred to as the new “Gig” law, provides that many ... -
The Legal Beat: The "Work-For-Hire" Agreement
There is some confusion among many people as to exactly what a “work-for-hire” agreement is and what it accomplishes. This article will explain when and how it is used. Under ... -
The Legal Beat: The Live Performance Contract
This article will discuss the important provisions of a written live performance contract from the artist’s perspective, whether at a coffee house, college campus, night club, festival, or other venue. ... -
The Legal Beat: Katy Perry Loses Copyright Infringement Case
On July 29, 2019 a Los Angeles federal court jury held, in a unanimous verdict, that Katy Perry was liable for copyright infringement for copying (for her 2013 hit song ... -
The Legal Beat: New Taylor Swift Feud Over Her Masters
Taylor Swift once again finds herself in another feud, this time with her former label and Scooter Braun over the sale of her masters. By way of background, Swift convinced ... -
The Legal Beat: Social Media Companies License Music
What if you post a video on Facebook that you created and you want to include music from a famous recording artist’s album? Can you do it legally? Social media ... -
The Legal Beat: Music Publishers Sue Peloton Over Unlicensed Songs
Nine music publishers (including Ole, Peer and Ultra) have sued trendy fitness/technology company Peloton for copyright infringement. The lawsuit seeks $150M in damages from Peloton for allegedly using over a ... -
The Legal Beat: Streaming Companies Appeal Songwriters Royalty Increase
With physical album sales down, digital streaming income has become increasingly important for songwriters who have complained bitterly (and with good reason) that they were not getting their fair share. ... -
What's the Difference Between a Major Label and Independent Label Deal?
Clients often ask me if they should pursue a major label recording contract or an independent deal. The answer, of course, is it depends on many factors. There are certain ... -
Understanding Music Producer Agreements
Often a major label will enter into a contract with a production company (“Company”) for the services of a recording artist. The company will then engage music producers directly. Here ... -
A Close Look at Taylor Swift's New Deal With UMG
On Nov. 19, 2018, Taylor Swift announced she had entered into a new recording contract with Universal Music Group (“UMG”). The new deal provides that UMG will be her exclusive ... -
The Legal Beat: Chapman Sues Minaj for Copyright Infringement
During October of 2018 singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman sued rapper Nick Minaj for copyright infringement regarding the 1988 Chapman song “Baby Can I Hold You” (“Song”). Chapman alleges Minaj stole the ... -
The Legal Beat: What You Should Know About the Music Modernization Act
On Oct. 11, 2018 the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (“MMA”) was signed into law. The MMA updates federal law having to do with copyright issues for music ... -
Your Management Agreement: The 5 Most Important Provisions
This article will discuss the five most important provisions in a recording artist’s personal management agreement (“Agreement”). The Term The “term” of the agreement refers to how long the agreement ... -
What You Need to Know Before You Retain A Music Attorney
I once had a potential client come to me complaining about a music attorney she had hired. She said the attorney did not respond quickly to her calls, was sometimes ...
