what does a music attorney do

by Ms. Melody Dietrich III 9 min read

What is A Music Lawyer?

  • Facilitate Recording Agreements. Signing a recording agreement is a big step in any artist’s career, especially for the ones who are new to the industry.
  • Intellectual Property Licensing. Music lawyers can also help songwriters get sufficient compensation for their work. ...
  • Broadcasting Rights. ...

A music lawyer is a specialized attorney who deals with legal issues surrounding the music industry. They are trained to handle a wide range of legal issues, like contract management, copyright claims, trademark disputes, artist representation, and many more.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer in the music industry?

Jun 28, 2011 · Music lawyers typically fall into one of two types - courtroom lawyers (litigators) and non-courtroom lawyers (transactional lawyers). Litigators are needed when you are sued or when you want to sue someone. Most music litigators handle court cases involving copyright infringement or contract disputes. Transactional lawyers, on the other hand ...

Do you need an entertainment lawyer?

To help you out, we have assembled a brief synopsis of what a music lawyer is and the kind of cases they can help with. Music lawyers, also called Entertainment lawyers, specialize in the area of the law that deals with the entertainment industry. While many of these lawyers also work with laws pertaining to television, movies and other ...

Do I need a lawyer to manage my record label?

What does a Music Lawyer do? As a Music Lawyer, you protect the business interests of Composers, Recording Artists, and bands. Falling within the broader category of Attorney, the Music Lawyer handles mostly contract negotiations. Working closely with Record Producer, Concert Promoters, and Recording Artists, the Music Lawyer gets the deal done!

Should I hire a lawyer?

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What are the responsibilities of a music lawyer?

A good music lawyer will be savvy as to the technology, the platforms and the apps that are out there. They'll think to raise questions in contracts about things like income from music streaming. A good music lawyer will also be able to help you recognise when it's not the right time to do a contract.Nov 14, 2016

What are the skills needed to be a music attorney?

Music lawyers have extensive relationships within the entertainment industry that can yield opportunities for musicians, a knowledge of music law and intellectual property, attention to detail, and a strong awareness of risk management.Jun 18, 2020

Why do music attorneys exist?

Some music lawyers work for labels, publishers, and promoters as corporate counsel and chiefly exist to (1) protect their employers from liability (2) maximize said company's earnings when signing or resigning artists and (3) generate and handle negotiations for B2B dealings, e.g. licensing a catalogue to Facebook, ...Jan 25, 2019

When should you get a music lawyer?

Always consult an attorney before using someone else's work. Are songwriters making significant money—say, more than $1,000 annually—on streaming royalties, or is it really just a game for larger corporations with a great number of copyrights, and maybe a superstar at the highest level?

What is a music lawyer called?

Entertainment Attorneys handle all legal matters for musicians.Jul 3, 2020

Can a lawyer be a musician?

Lawyer-turned musician, Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz the Bahd Guy or Falz, has said that some of the skills he learnt as a lawyer are now helping in his musical career. The University of Reading, England-trained lawyer stated this during an Instagram Live session with his fans.Jan 2, 2021

Do musicians need a lawyer?

You might be wondering why does a musician, writer or producer need a lawyer? Essentially, a music lawyer is part of the team, advising on legal issues and helping to guide the business aspects of a career in collaboration with other members of the team such as the manager and accountant.Jan 23, 2020

What does a record label lawyer do?

A record label lawyer is responsible for overseeing the legality of contracts and other transactions between musicians and the parties who pay them. They can negotiate contracts between artists and record companies, as well as copyright agreements and other binding documents.Oct 4, 2019

How much do music lawyers make UK?

PRS for Music Salary FAQs The average salary for a Lawyer is £61,881 per year in United Kingdom, which is 9% higher than the average PRS for Music salary of £56,652 per year for this job.Feb 25, 2021

Do record labels need lawyers?

Yes, it is extremely important to have the help of a contract lawyer if you have a recording contract issue. As noted above, an important first step is to have legal representation prior to signing the contract.Mar 3, 2021

Do singers have lawyers?

The fact is, musicians have to deal with a ton of dizzying legal issues throughout their careers, which means a good lawyer can end up being one of the most valuable members of your team. Still, young artists can hardly be faulted for an indifference to music law.May 31, 2018