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The Legal Beat: Can I Collect Royalties from SoundExchange?
Many people seem to be confused about what SoundExchange is, what it does and how it pays royalties. This article will attempt to explain what ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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”). ... -
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 ... -
The Legal Beat: Copyright Basics
This article will discuss some basic concepts of copyright law. Keep in mind that there are two separate copyrights in music: The copyright in the ... -
Negotiating Sync Licenses for Film & TV
What is a Synchronization License? It’s a license granted by the holder of the copyright of a particular composition allowing the licensee to “synchronize” music ... -
The Legal Beat: 10 Negotiating Tips
Have you ever wondered how you can better negotiate contracts in the music business? This article will give you some pointers. 1. Due Diligence: Do ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Legal Beat: How Can I Get Out of My Contract?
I am sometimes approached by a new client who wants to terminate a contract. For instance, it could be a personal management contract, or a ... -
Producer Crosstalk: The Stereotypes
Writing and production team The Stereotypes––Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves and Ray Charles McCullough II––have worked with a range of artists including Omarion, Pitbull ... -
The Legal Beat: Co-Publishing Agreements
Part One: The Term Minimum Release Requirement and Options A very common type of music publishing agreement that music publishers offer songwriters is the co-publishing ...
