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Working with a Music Attorney Composers face a broad
range of legal issues. They often sign
publishing agreements, register various copyrights, make royalties, and face
other artists stealing their work. On
a managerial level, |
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composers may need a
lawyer just to promote their work, since many record companies strongly
prefer receiving demos from attorneys.
A good music attorney can help composers with both transactional
issues and legislation, playing a valuable role in the business side of
writing music. Services Music Lawyers Provide to Composers Lawyers assist with
regulatory and business issues, such as making sure that every contract and document
signed by the composer is properly negotiated. A lawyer can help avoid the pitfalls that
often arise in different types of music contracts, such as publishing,
recording, and managerial contracts.
He or she will also be familiar with the relevant copyright and other
laws, and can advise the composer to register appropriate copyrights,
negotiate fair royalties, and take other steps to protect the composer’s best
interests and avoid legal problems. Another main role of the
lawyer is to manage and promote the composer.
Managing takes a significant amount of work, from sending out demos to
talking with agents to arranging gigs to meeting other songwriters. Furthermore, sometimes a musician will not
be taken seriously without a manager, or companies and other groups will
require music submittal through an attorney. An attorney can assist a
composer with management by raising the composer’s visibility and connecting
the composer with others in the business.
The attorney can have publishers, record companies, and other artists
listen to the composer’s work. The
attorney can also provide credibility and give the composer an edge,
especially if he or she has good contacts and a strong reputation. Finally, a lawyer can also
help deal with breaches of contract or disputes. He or she can uphold the composer’s rights
and act as a representative in court.
If there is a problem with a contract, the attorney can help
renegotiate the contract and establish more fair terms. How to Choose a Music Lawyer How should a composer go
about finding a qualified music attorney?
First, obtain recommendations of good attorneys. Places to look include fellow musicians,
performance rights organizations, and referrals from people with whom the
composer networks. One may also wish
to look into the attorneys’ backgrounds, such as by contacting the Better
Business Bureau or asking for client references. Next, make sure the
attorney specializes in music law. A
general lawyer or a lawyer in another field will probably not have the depth
of experience needed to deal with the particular problems and issues in music
law. He or she should have expertise
in music and publishing contracts, intellectual and artistic property,
copyrights, and artist management and promotion, as well as having quality
contacts and the ability to promote a composer’s work. When meeting with an
attorney, the composer should try to find out information in several
areas. Who does the attorney usually
represent, what kinds of clients does he serve? How much experience does he have and in
what issues and laws? What would be
the terms of the agreement, such as the length of the term, fee structure,
and services provided? By using these and other
criteria to find a reputable music lawyer, a composer can add a valuable
player to his or her team in the music business. --- Disclaimer: The
information in this article does not constitute legal advice and is in no way
a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney. |
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All articles (c) 1999-2006 by LIFTOFF! |