Hiring a music attorney shouldn’t be an afterthought. You might think that as a band manager, producer, record label owner, or other professional on the business side of the music industry that you don’t need an attorney until you’ve gotten into legal trouble. That would be a mistake, and a costly one at that, if things devolve into litigation.
One of the most common mistakes I see music industry professionals make is agreeing to something that does not make sense for their business. Many times, people come to me after the damage has been done, even though it would have been easier and less costly for them to contact me before making any kind of binding agreement.
If you own a business that helps musicians get their work noticed, here’s when you should hire a music attorney.
Before Signing an Agreement to Be a Musician’s Manager
As a manager for artists and bands, you’re taking a risk—you might see potential in the individual or group, but there is no guarantee of success. You need to make sure that you protect yourself against the possibility that the group or musician dissolves the management contract. Having a music attorney by your side to help you draft your agreement to include what is known as a sunset clause will protect your investments of time and money.
A sunset clause guarantees you a commission for several months from a group that decides to split up or from an artist who wants to change managers. Since it’s not uncommon for musicians to jump from one manager to the next, this is important language to include in your contracts.
Before Signing an Agreement to Be a Musician’s Label
If you own or represent a music label, you definitely need a music attorney to help you protect your investments. Your business not only invests money into acts that you think have potential, but also provides those you represent with connections industry knowledge. For musicians who want to make it beyond the local circuit, signing with a label is a must, and you need to be able to leverage the value you have to offer to get a fair share of the proceeds to recoup your expenses and continue growing your business. An attorney will help you do that.
For Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights are not just for those who create music. If your management company or record label is doing things right, you also have a stake in how your artists’ music is used. Aside from obtaining copyrights and trademarks, a music attorney can help you with licensing deals. You want to make sure that anyone who wants to use your clients’ music will reflect well on your business—you have a reputation to uphold.
Is Your Business Protected Without a Music Attorney?
The legal landscape of the music industry can be difficult to navigate on your own. If you want to learn how you can protect your career in the music industry, contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. Se habla español. 305-851-2189