Music Business Lawyer

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Introduction

Areas of Focus

Resources & Tools

About

Contact

A Music Business Lawyer:
Should you use one?

Do you as an independent music artist need a music business lawyer for your business?

Yes. You have rights as a music creator and a lawyer who specializes in the music or entertainment business can make you aware of your rights, and help you protect your rights.

Music copyright law is a complicated subject which you should know enough about to run your business. You will still however need to make use of the services of a lawyer at certain points in your music business career.

For example...

You already know you should always "get it writing". You want a contract or at least a simple written agreement whenever you work with another person or company.

You should always have a lawyer look over any agreement, contract or deal before you sign it. You will avoid signing away your rights and make sure you understand your legal responsibilities and liabilities.

You should also avoid "101 Music Biz Contract" style templates for your contracts. You want use your lawyer's services to draw up important contracts as this will make sure your specific requirements are met.

A good lawyer will also be able to help you with the legal structure of your business and assist you when you trademark your business names and logos.

I suggest you get a copy of the music business classic "All You Need To Know About The Music Business" by Donald S. Passman, and read Chapter 5 "Attorneys" where the author goes into...

You'll also find an "Attorney Checklist" which provides 5 important questions you want to ask your music business lawyer before you make use of their services.

You should have the above book on your shelf as it is an invaluable resource of knowledge about the music business, not just the legal aspect.

Please be aware that I am not a legal expert so I offer this page for informational purposes only, not legal advice. Your legal affairs are an important aspect of your business so I advise you always seek legal advice from a qualified music business lawyer.

Marius van Dyk

Back to Music Business Information HQ

Back from Music Business Lawyer to Home Page

Sign Up For Free Right Now...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

SBI!

Grow Your Own
Music-Business-Life!

4 Aces Small Image

What others have to say...

"Thank you for your help with our web strategy and social media presence. The integrated setup of the web site and our social profiles you helped us establish makes life so much easier. The buzz so far has been great and just keeps growing!" - Gareth, The Commercial Hippies / Nano Records thecommercialhippies.com

"As the owner of a music studio, I have found this site to be extremely beneficial to musicians at any stage of development. Way to go, Marius!" - Lynne, may-studio-music-lessons.com

"Marius has a very informative site on how to be a self-managing musician, and he takes the time to get back to you if you've got questions. He's a cool guy!" - Nate Maingard, Musician twitter.com/NateMaingard

"It refreshing in so many ways to find something that's the truth and not just some "sign here pay this and tomorrow you're famous" website!! Marius has lent direction in gray areas for The Brokekings and certainly its been the most honest approach in getting our brand from our hard-drive to our tribe's ears." - Cliff Barns, The Brokekings http://thebrokekings.bandcamp.com

"Yes, your site is great. I devoured all of it, watched all the Vids because you cover all the important current marketing strategies a band/artist should be doing. I totally agree with your angle on things, especially the way the old music biz paradigm is crumbling away and there are new ways for all of us Artists to empower ourselves." Paul Abrahams, The Reels