what kind of attorney do i need to review a music contract

Do I need a lawyer in the music industry?

Aug 06, 2013 · Do I need a lawyer to review my record contract? August 6, 2013 . Dear Music Lawyer, I have been offered a recording contract and have been advised by the label to seek advise from a music lawyer when reading the contract. I don't have a lot of money to hire a lawyer. Is it completely necessary to hire a lawyer?

Do I need a lawyer to review contracts?

Jun 12, 2009 · If you're entering into any kind of deal in the music industry where money and contracts are involved, you should probably hire an entertainment or music lawyer. You're looking for someone who specializes in things like record label contracts, and who knows the industry.

Do I need a lawyer to manage my record label?

A transactional music attorney will deal with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and help to protect the client’s intellectual property. In general, music contracts will deal with matters such as copyright law, production, touring, etc. On the other hand, a music attorney who is a litigator will deal with litigation matters such as lawsuits.

Do you need an entertainment lawyer?

Jul 23, 2020 · Working with a contract attorney will ensure that your agreements are legal, admissible in court, and are free of loopholes. Understanding exactly what you need a contract review lawyer to do when they review your contract will help you make the decision whether or not you want to make the investment in hiring an attorney.

What is a music lawyer called?

Entertainment Attorneys handle all legal matters for musicians. This includes contractual agreements, negotiating, advice, and counseling.Jul 3, 2020

How do I get out of a music contract?

Sometimes if you have a personal manager they may negotiate the major deal points. Try and limit the term, meaning how long the contract will last. For instance, if a manager requests a four-year term, perhaps you can negotiate it down to three years. If the term ends, you can always try to renew it.May 7, 2018

What does a lawyer do in the music industry?

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.

How do you negotiate a music contract?

Knowing the key areas to negotiate can continue to protect your interests throughout your music career.Agree on Obligations. ... Duration of the Record Contract. ... Agree on Royalties. ... Set Termination Clauses. ... Discuss Any Limitations for the Artist. ... Other Aspects to Consider When Negotiating a Record Contract.Nov 7, 2019

Can you buy out of a music contract?

There is no easy way to get out of a label contract. The point of a contract is to make obligations rigid and binding. ... Every case is different, and you must work with an entertainment lawyer if you are considering record label contract termination.

What happens if you break a music contract?

There are remedies for the violation of a music recording agreement. A lawsuit may be filed as a result of a breach of violation of the contract. Entertainment law may provide remedies for the aggrieved party, or non-breaching party. In some cases, a monetary damages award may be available to the non-breaching party.Mar 3, 2021

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 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

Who do music lawyers work with?

We often work with artists, writers, producers and managers at the start of their careers to help support their craft, develop their reputation and to protect their rights. We work on all types of music industry deals, and are one of the few firms capable of advising on music issues across the full media spectrum.Mar 26, 2021

What is a 50/50 record deal?

In a production deal, the artist usually signs a 50/50 deal with a single producer. The producer agrees to produce one or more of an artist's album in entirety but retains 100% ownership of the master recordings.Sep 16, 2020

What is an EP deal?

EP Deal. The band and label will produce an EP together and the label will provide the best strategy for marketing however there will be no public announcement that the pair are working together. It allow labels to test the waters before signing a band full time.

Can I send my music to record labels?

Demo submissions should be directed to UMG's record labels, but kindly note that they are unable to accept unsolicited material. Typically, demos are recommended to one of our labels' A&R departments by a manager, agent, producer, radio DJ or other industry professional.

What do music attorneys do?

A music attorney represents various types of clients in the music industry, such as artists, producers, songwriters, and record labels. A transactional music attorney will deal with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts and help to protect the client’s intellectual property.

What kind of music business clients do you represent?

All kinds, from hip hop to jazz to rock. My current clients include music icon Janet Jackson , Lil B, and several independent record labels and artists.

What services do you offer your music industry clients?

I’m a transactional music lawyer, which means I draft, review, and negotiate contracts for my clients. Many times artists and songwriters will reach out to me and request that I shop their music for a deal — unfortunately, this is not a service I offer, so I usually put that disclaimer out there right away.

Can you help with disputes between people working in music?

Yes, however, ethical rules prevent me from representing two parties on opposite sides of a conflict. So, if there is a conflict, I can only represent one of the parties.

What makes you a good music attorney?

Having been a personal manager, I can say that I really do care about my clients. Also, I am always willing to explain each contract to my clients so they know what they’re getting themselves into. I’m also huge music fan, so I always love hearing my clients’ music and that helps motivate me to do the best job I can.

When would you recommend someone contact a music attorney?

If you’re ever offered a contract that has anything to do with your music, I would definitely recommend reaching out to an attorney. It’s always worth it to pay for professional advice avoid problematic legal issues down the road. Signing a bad deal can negatively affect your career for years to come.

How much do you charge for your services?

It all depends on the situation. Sometimes clients will bring me a contract that they just want me to review, and in those situations I’ll usually charge a flat fee. Other situations will require a retainer. But, overall, I always try to create a fee structure that makes sense for each client.

How to determine the fee of a lawyer?

Just like with any question related to a lawyer’s services, the fee you will pay for a legal professional to look over your contract depends on the lawyer's hourly rate and the contract's complexity. Here are some factors it can depend upon: 1 The length of the contract 2 Your budget 3 What does the attorney need to look for 4 If you need just a review or help with drafting services 5 Your industry 6 Rules and regulations in your industry 7 The amount of money at stake 8 The duration of the contract 9 How much risk are you willing to take on 10 The number of signing parties involved 11 Your lawyer’s experience and current workload

What is issue specific contract review?

An issue-specific contract review is the most economical option if spending money is the most important factor for you. If you are mostly happy with the contract, but not quite clear on some of the specific terms or issues, or need a specific clause of the contract explained, the lawyer will just look over those specific areas of concern. A lawyer can help decipher the legalese and explain those terms in common English so you can figure out if they work for you. You don’t want to sign things you don’t understand, so if you're on a tight budget, but still need the peace of mind, this is a good way to feel more confident before signing the agreement.

What is redlining a contract?

In the legal world, this is known as “redlining a contract”, which can really help the whole process move along more smoothly. In other words, you don’t have to discuss the changes in your agreement with the other party, as they will receive the contract already finished with the option to accept or deny.

Do lawyers charge flat fees?

Each lawyer sets his or her own prices depending on their own level of expertise and the fees they charge can vary greatly from one attorney to the next. Most of the time, however, lawyers use either flat-fee pricing or hourly pricing when they get hired to review a business contract.

Why is it important to have a written contract?

It’s important to understand that the best contracts protect both parties. This might be worth mentioning if you are ever asked by a client why it is necessary to have a written contract. It’s not only about trust, it’s also about clarity. A contract exists to protect both parties.

What is a performance contract?

Just as it’s the responsibility of a seller of goods or services to provide a written purchase order and receipt, the performance contract is generally viewed as a responsibility of the artist or band. The contract is essentially the agreement you have with the person hiring you, in the form of a written document.

How long does it take to cancel a contract?

There can be a clause that spells out what happens if either party needs to cancel. Typically, there is a time period, often 30-60 days, where the contract can be canceled without penalty.

What is boilerplate slang?

According to an online legal dictionary, boilerplate is:“ . . .slang for provisions in a contract, which are apparently routine and often preprinted. The term comes from an old method of printing. Today boilerplate is commonly stored in computer memory to be retrieved and copied when needed.”.

What is the first paragraph of a contract?

Typically, the first paragraph states who the parties to the contract are, and use terms like “artist” and “purchaser” to refer to each. Note for a contract to be considered legally valid, the addresses and contact information for both parties must be included.

What is a rider in a contract?

A rider is an additional page or pages attached to the contract spelling out requirements too detailed or lengthy to be included in the main contract , such as travel arrangements, equipment needs ( which may also be in a separate equipment rider), food and lodging, etc.

What is compensation clause?

In cases where invoicing (billing) the client or employer is required, the compensation clause in the contract becomes a guide to creating the invoices. On each invoice, you will need to include what the payment is for, when it is due, and to whom it should be paid.

Why do you need an attorney to review a contract?

This is because an attorney brings along years of experience and training to guide you. The contract attorney's knowledge can contribute to you getting the best deal possible in the contract you're creating.

What is flat free contract review?

It's great for the customer, as you'll just pay a single set fee for contract review, regardless of how long your lawyer works on the project. This pricing system provides a much better idea on how much contract attorneys will charge for their legal advice upfront.

What does a lawyer do?

Basically, your lawyer will handle everything for you, including reviewing, editing, redlining, and negotiating the contract. In serious contracts, negotiating can be difficult, as emotions can get heated between you and the other party. You might just keep going back and forth with neither side giving way.

What is issue specific contract review?

Issue-specific contract review. An issue-specific contract review is the cheapest form of contract review, as the lawyer will just look over a specific issue you have questions on. If you're on a tight budget, this is a good way to feel more confident before signing the agreement. Some of the specific questions or provisions you might want ...

Why is it important to have a lawyer review a contract?

These are usually pretty standard, but it is important to have a lawyer review these contracts because they often involve a major purchase. Your contract review lawyer will review mortgage loan documents, a plot of land survey, title, title insurance, deed, bill of sale, and the legal description of the property.

Why do you need a contract attorney?

Considering a contract is a legally binding piece of paperwork. Therefore, it is vital to make sure they are done the right way. This alone is the biggest reason why you need a contract attorney.

What is contract review?

Contract review is the process of reading and understanding a contract on a line-by-line basis. It is a deep analysis process to make sure the contract is fair. More importantly, you need to make sure it doesn’t include any loopholes that could work against you.

What is a purchase agreement?

Purchase agreements are used to transfer property from one person to another. This may be real estate, vehicles, or any other tangible asset. Just like with the real estate contract review, your contract review analysis will include any necessary titles, insurance, deeds, loan documents, and the bill of sale.

Do you need an attorney to review a contract?

The only thing you will have to worry about is signing when the time is right. So, the short answer to this question is – Yes. You need an attorney for reviewing contracts.

Who is the attorney on Making the Rounds?

In the first episode of season 1 of the new Making the Rounds podcast, AMA senior attorney Wes Cleveland provides tips on what to consider before you begin the contracting process.

What to do when you receive a letter of intent?

When you receive an offer or a letter of intent (LOI) hire a lawyer to review the offer or LOI before you sign anything. Because health care is extensively regulated, physician employment agreements frequently have to comply with highly specific legal requirements that don't apply to typical employment contracts.

Should I hire a physician focused lawyer?

It's highly recommended that you hire a physician-focused lawyer to assist you with contract review and negotiation.

What is legal zoom?

LegalZoom legal document review services are available for an affordable price that includes document review or contract review by an attorney who understands the language used in legal documents. To take advantage of LegalZoom’s exclusive price for online legal document review, you must be a Business Advisory Plan member.

How many pages should a legal plan document be?

Before signing your legal documents, make sure that the fine print doesn’t leave you at risk. As a legal plan member, you get attorney review of documents up to 10 pages in length at no extra charge.

Does LegalZoom endorse lawyers?

LegalZoom does not endorse or recommend any lawyer or law firm who advertises on our site. We do not make any representation and have not made any judgment as to the qualifications, expertise or credentials of any participating lawyer. The information contained on this site is not legal advice.