Copyright, Trademarks, & Publishing
Directory of sites containing information specifically dealing with
music law, including publishers, copyright, trademark and entertainment law services.
FourFront
Music Podcast: Copyright Basics Christopher Knab of FourFront
Music discusses some of the
essential information on registering your songs with the U.S. Copyright Office
and clears up some misconceptions and urban myths surrounding copyrights as
they apply to songwriters. To play, click on the play button above or right-click
this
link and choose "Save Target/Link
As..." to download
the mp3. Or you can open with Windows
Media Player or another
player.
Releasing
Your Own Record: A Legal Checklist For artists who are releasing their own record for the first
time, without the involvement or assistance of a label, the process can be a little intimidating. It can be easy
to miss some key legal details in the process. Here, therefore, is a very basic checklist of issues to be considered
when releasing a record.
Article by Bart Day. Added 09/16/2002
Publishing
Deals Made Easy: A Thumbnail Sketch
People often speak of “publishing deals” in a generic way, which implies that there is only one kind of publishing
deal. In fact, there are a number of different kinds of publishing deals, as described in this fantastic article
by attorney Bart Day. Added 11/14/2002.
Additional Music Law Resources Listed alphabetically starting with the letter 'P'....
(starting letters rotate periodically to give all sites equal exposure) Latest Review
added here 12/12/2007. Don't miss this weeks featured listing on our home page.
Podcasting
Legal Guide: Rules for the Revolution
(U.S.) Thinking
of setting up your own Podcast?
It would be wise to know your
legal boundaries. This guide
covers copyright issues, special
rules, using your own content,
incorporation of others' audio
recordings, interviews, licenses
you'll need and more. Added
07/12/2006.
Public Domain Music
Need to find out if a song you want to perform or record is in the public domain? Then check out this public domain
information project. You'll find numerous articles on public domain works and copyright information as well as
public domain song lists, research resources, tips, and a well documented FAQ. Updated 03/07/2006
Recording Industry Association
of America The RIAA is a trade group that represents most of the corporate music industry. Its
member companies comprise about 90% of all sound recordings manufactured and
sold in the U.S.. While some artists view the RIAA as the ‘enemy,’
representing big money and big business, the company does in fact provide a
wealth of information on what’s happening in the industry. The RIAA site is
regularly updated with information on new technologies, copyright law, freedom
of speech, licensing, royalties, market data and more. Hanging out at the RIAA
site you definitely get a different perspective - the business perspective -
and that’s a perspective you ought to know. Updated 03/13/2006.
Releasing
Your Own Record: A Legal Checklist For artists who are releasing their own record for the first
time, without the involvement or assistance of a label, the process can be a little intimidating. It can be easy
to miss some key legal details in the process. Here, therefore, is a very basic checklist of issues to be considered
when releasing a record. Added 09/16/2002.
Russell
Law: Legal Services for Creative
People Elizabeth
T. Russell is the author of
Art Law Conversations: A Surprisingly Readable Guide for Visual Artists.
Art Law
Conversations achieved finalist status in ForeWord Magazine's 2005 Book
of the Year awards, earned a rating of "Essential" from CHOICE Magazine and was
named to CHOICE's 2006 Outstanding Academic Titles. Elizabeth is also the Art
Law columnist for Art
Calendar, a national business magazine for visual artists. As a writer
she particularly enjoys taking complicated issues and explaining them in
understandable terms for nonlawyers. Practice
areas include Copyright and
Trademark, Contracts, Arts and entertainment, Internet
law, Nonprofit law and general business. Added 12/12/2007.
Schroder
Fidlow, PLC Schroder Fidlow,
PLC is a unique law firm that provides full-service legal advice and
counsel to clients in the entertainment industry and in the
performance and visual arts based in the United States and around the world.
Located in Virgina, Schroder Fidlow’s
mission is to provide effective legal representation and guidance to our
clients in a cost-efficient manner. They pride themselves providing New
York/Los Angeles quality entertainment & arts law services WITHOUT the New
York/Los Angeles high billing rates and fees. Added 06/06/2007.
Tips For Selecting
an Entertainment Attorney Sooner or later you will need legal counsel as a musician, songwriter,
label owner or industry careerist and it's important to know how to select the best counsel for your needs. Here
are a few tips to help you with the screening process. Updated 04/04/2003.
U.S. Copyright Office
Homepage
The U.S. Copyright Office's
web site is surprisingly user friendly. You'll find all
the forms you need, plus
all the information you could
want on basic copyright law. Updated 04/11/2005.
What Song
License Do You Need? Want to use a copyright protected song but you're confused about
who to contact and how to go about it? This easy to use licensing FAQ from the Harry Fox Agency takes you step
by step through the process of licensing songs for use in recording, performance, film, or media and tells you
exactly what you need to do and what it will cost you. Updated 01/30/2003.
AMS:
Sample Contracts
A small
selection of useful, "ready made" contracts
from Artist Management Services. Includes a Band Member Agreement, Song Publishing Contract, Sponsorship, Sound
Services Contract and more. Updated 04/11/2005.
ASCAP
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. An association of over 200,000 composers, songwriters,
lyricists and music publishers, ASCAP's function is to protect the rights of its members by licensing and paying
royalties for the public performances of their copyrighted works. Updated 04/11/2005.
BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated, a music performing rights organization that represents songwriters (even when they
happen also to be performers), as well as film, television, musical theatre and classical music composers and,
of course, music publishers. BMI collects money from the businesses that use music in the course of their day and
then pays out that money as royalties to the composers and publishers of the songs and compositions they play.
Updated 01/30/2003.
Broadsky:
New York's Lowest Priced Law
Firm Having
never used their services, we can't
necessarily vouch for these
guys. However, the price is
right, and if you're in need
of legal services, here's someone
worth researching. To quote
the web site, "No suits & ties. Real low fees. Great legal rep.
A different kind of music law firm. We know that young musicians and new
businesspeople can't afford to blow their limited funds on a lawyer. Not when
there are videos to shoot, equipment to buy, merch to produce, and parties to
throw.
That's why our fees are about 70 to 80% lower than the
average at only $79 per hour. With us you get the same experience and better
service without any pretense." Added 09/26/2006.
California
Lawyers For The Arts
Founded in 1974, CLA provides lawyer referrals, dispute resolution services, and a resource library to artists
of all disciplines and arts organizations. Their lawyer referral service can provide you with a brief half-hour
consultation for $30 (for non-members) in numerous areas of law, including copyright, contract drafting, incorporation,
mediation and arbitration. CLA also holds a number of workshops focusing on the music business available throughout
southern California. If you need an entertainment lawyer, and quick, CLA is a good place to start. Updated 01/30/2003.
Fox
Tax Service Here's
a tax preparation service devoted
to artists and musicians. So
when that time of year comes
around and you need help figuring
out your taxes, determining
what to deduct, how to file,
whether you files as a "business"
or anything else, check in with
Fox for assistance. They can
provide anything from simple
advice to doing the entire preparation
and tax filing for you. Added 07/21/2005.
The Future
of Music Coalition This fascinating web site features numerous
articles and commentaries on the state of the music industry, technology and
the evolving debate over intellectual property rights. One of the stated goals
of the Coalition is to educate musicians about critical issues shaping the
industry. You'll find a large selection of articles, a library of important
books, research areas, newsletters, and ideas for how you can participate in
the debate. Sign up for the newsletter to remain updated on what’s happening on
the legal side of the entertainment world. Updated 03/13/2006.
The Harry Fox Agency,
Inc.
Want to use a copyright protected song but you're confused about who to contact and how to go about it? The HFA
licenses the largest percentage of music in the United States for CDs,
digital services and music downloads. Once
you register, The HFA's easy to use
licensing system takes you step by step through the process of licensing songs for use in recording, performance,
film, or digital
downloads and tells you exactly what you need to do and what it will cost you. Updated 02/13/2006.
Heraty
Hall: Attorney's at Law Heraty Hall is
a law firm that specializes in serving the needs
of artists and professionals in the entertainment
industry. Clients include musicians, record labels, artist
management companies, writers, composers, licensing companies, a PR firm, and more.
They draft and negotiate contracts, form LLCs, consult on business issues, advise clients of their legal rights,
and help companies organize and define themselves. They pride themselves on" providing quality low-cost legal
representation to those who would otherwise not have access to it." Added
01/29/2004.
Law Articles
for Recording Artists and Songwriters
Here are a few articles from Ivan Hoffman, Attorney At Law, on issues that effect the recording artist and songwriter.
Articles include The Six Potential Traps In A Recording Contract, Recording Contract Royalties, Owned and Controlled Licenses,
Contract Exit Strategies and others. Added 06/20/2002.
Licensing
Your Music Overseas If you are an artist or indie label, one way to significantly expand your
universe is to license your master recordings to record companies outside the
United States.Article
by Bart
Day. Added 01/29/2004
Mclane
& Wong - Entertainment Law Mclane
& Won is a full service global entertainment law firm specializing in music law, the
music business and the music industry. At their web site you'll find a wonderful
selection of articles on some
of the legal topics that concern
musicians most: royalties, agents,
distribution, endorsements,
film/tv licensing, group partnerships,
publishing, and so much more.
Their client list is quite impressive,
and their consultation rates
very reasonable too. Great content.
Added 03/17/2004.
MPA's Directory
of Music Publishers
Looking for a publisher's contact information? The Music Publishers' Association's directory contains contact information
for publishers, both domestic and foreign, and copyright administrating offices. A very complete listing and an
an excellent resource. Added 11/26/2002.
MusicClearance.com
Need assistance getting permission to use that cover song on your CD? Want to license music for your film or video?
The Parker Music Groups, AKA MusicClearance.com is in the business of locating publishers and copyright owners
for the purpose of negotiating song licensing rights and fees for their clients. Check out their credits for a
very impressive list of clients. Updated 04/11/2005
MusicContracts.com This site, an extension of the Law Office of J.
Scott Rudsenske, offers an assortment of pre-made music business contracts for
the artist, record label, manager, producer and publisher. Contracts are
available in packages, or individually. Once you select, and pay for the
contract (most run $19.95), you may immediately download it. Updated
03/13/2006.
Music Law: Free Legal Advice Here you'll find answers on nearly every aspect of music law
- including copyrighting your music, royalties, protecting your band name, music publishers, recording contracts
and agreements, getting perimission to use a song, and many other topics. Very useful. Added 06/03/2003.
MusicLegalForms.com
Here's another resource for those of you searching for templates for music contracts and legal forms for the music
business. Purchase complete contract packages, or purchase each form individually. Band/Artist contract pages includes
and Artist Management Contract, Band Performance Contract, General Partnership Agreement, Recording Artist Contracts,
Tour Sponsorship Agreement and many others. All forms are provided in HTML and Word formats. Added 10/03/2002.
Music Publishers' Association
This web site is an excellent resource on all things copyright/publishing related, but is particularly useful if
you are seeking the publisher or copyright owner of a particular song. Their Copyright Search Center provides a
step-by-step guide to finding the copyright holder or publisher for a piece of music. MPA also provides generic
forms you can use to request permission to make use of songs in your projects. Reviewed 09/26/2002
Musicians
Intellectual Law and Resources Links
A very complete directory containing not only links, but general information on the basics of copyright and music
law. You'll find notes on trademarks, mechanical royalties, an analysis of recording contract clauses and more.
Also, written in plain English, so little guesswork involved. A great place to find basic music law information
quickly. Updated 04/04/2003.
Negativeland:
Intellectual Property Issues
This music copyright resource provided by industry-rogue Negativland is interesting to say the least, with articles
covering both copyright and anti-copyright issues. You'll find essays and suggested links to information on copyright,
fair use, trademarking, and intellectual property. Fascinating reading. Updated 03/07/2003.
Suggest A Site For This Directory
Would you like to recommend a web site for the MusicBizAcademy.com directory? Click here to tell us about
it. We welcome any quality musicians resource, as well as music promotion tools, 'how to' articles, and pretty
much anything music business related. We're NOT interested in band pages. Please be aware that due to the number
of suggestions we receive, our current placement time is about 12 weeks. We will contact you if your site is selected.
Thank you.
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