Advises would-be musicians on getting started, obtaining copyrights, selecting managers, and related matters.

The Musician’s Business and Legal Guide provides vital information to help demystify the music business and the complex body of law that shapes it. This book answers such questions as how to protect name and copyright; what is and is not legal about sampling; what are the legal issues surrounding digital downloads and streaming; what are the jobs of managers, talent agents and publishers; what are common contractual relationship between independent and major labels. The new edition includes chapters not covered in depth by other books: social media law, TV talent shows, YouTube, and international copyright. As in previous editions, the book features clause-by-clause contract analyses for 360 record deals, music publishing, management, and producer agreements.

For courses in Overview of the Music Industry, Copyright and Publishing, Recording and Merchandising: Major and Independent Levels, Performing and Marketing Your Music, and Managers and Agents. Definitive in scope and written specifically for musicians and songwriters by top professionals currently working in the industry, this text demystifies the music business and the indecipherable body of law which shapes it, and provides substantive information on actual practices with clause-by-clause commentaries on all major contracts in the industry.

This book takes the mystery out of the music business! "Music Is Your Business" tells you who does what in the music industry. Music industry veteran Christopher Knab's honest, no-nonsense information will empower you to market and promote your music--whether you're an experienced performer or just starting out. Learn how to attract distributors, get radio airplay, negotiate offers, and create a demand for your music with topics like Con Jobs: Watch Out for the Flim Flam Man, 10 Reasons Why Musicians Fail (and How Not To), What A&R Reps Do, and Online Music Retailing. Straight to the point legal chapters by entertainment attorney Bartley F. Day include Filing Copyright Applications, Trademarking Band Names, and Making Sense of Recording Industry Contracts. A sample distributor one-sheet, band tour and work schedule, band bio, and more! Newly revised, updated, and 100 pages longer, the 3rd edition of "Music Is Your Business" is essential for independent musicians and record labels.

A guide to the music business and its legal issues provides real-world coverage of a wide range of topics, including teams of advisors, record deals, songwriting and music publishing, touring, and merchandising.

Aimed at songwriters, recording artists, and music entrepreneurs, this text explains the basics of digital music law. Entertainment attorney Gordon offers practical tips for online endeavors such as selling song downloads or creating an Internet radio station. Other topics include (for example) web site building, promoting through peer-to-peer networks, etc.

The Musician's Business and Legal Guide provides vital information to help demystify the music business and the complex body of law that shapes it. This book answers such questions as how to protect name and copyright; what is and is not legal about sampling; what are the legal issues surrounding digital downloads and streaming; what are the jobs of managers, talent agents and publishers; what are common contractual relationship between independent and major labels. The new edition includes chapters not covered in depth by other books: social media law, TV talent shows, YouTube, and international copyright. As in previous editions, the book features clause-by-clause contract analyses for 360 record deals, music publishing, management, and producer agreements.

(Berklee Press). With the free-form exchange of music files and musical ideas online, understanding copyright laws has become essential to career success in the new music marketplace. This cutting-edge, plain-language guide shows you how copyright law drives the contemporary music industry. By looking at the law and its recent history, you will understand the new issues introduced by the digital age, as well as continuing issues of traditional copyright law. Whether you are an artist, lawyer, entertainment Web site administrator, record label executive, student, or other participant in the music industry, this book will help you understand how copyright law affects you, helping you use the law to your benefit. * How do you get fair compensation for your work and avoid making costly mistakes? * Can you control who is selling your music on their website? * Is it legal to create mash-ups? * What qualifies as fair use? * How do you clear another artist's samples to use in your own recordings? * What is the Creative Commons/Copyleft movement? * How do you clear music for use in an online music service or store? * Who decides who gets paid how much and by whom? You will learn the answers to these questions as well as: * The basics of copyright law, looking at the Copyright Act while explaining it in plain language * How revenue streams for music are generated under copyright law * The reasoning behind high-profile court decisions related to copyright violations *What licenses are needed for the legal online delivery of music * The intricacies of using music on sites like YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify * Deficiencies in current copyright law and new business model ideas

The bible of the music biz—now fully revised with new contacts, fee info, trends, tips Want to know how to set prices for a gig? Want to be ahead of the curve on new trends in music? Want to have all the latest contact information on hundreds of industry pros? Have we got the book for you!The Musician’s Handbook, already the industry bible for working musicians, has been thoroughly revised and updated with the answers to all these questions and more. New interviews with music-business leaders, new pricing and legal structures for the digital age, new how-to tips for independent and do-it-yourself musicians—it’s all in here. Fees, royalties and advances, live performance, touring, merchandising, working with managers, lawyers, and agents, spotting new opportunities—all these topics and many, many more are covered in depth in this indispensable guide to becoming successful in music and in business. Praise for the Previous Edition • "An exceptionally well-written, thorough, and competent legal and business book for an author who is a non-attorney. Bobby's book is extremely valuable for anyone trying to understand the music business."—Peter Paterno, The Law Offices of King, Holmes, Paterno, & Berliner, representing Metallica, Dr. Dre, and Pearl Jam • "The music business is full of minefields.The Musician's Handbookhelps steer you through them in a way that lets you enjoy the journey. It's packed with valuable information you'll use time and again."—Don Gorder, Chairman of The Music Business/Management Department, Berklee College of Music • "Although there are many books dealing with the music business,The Musician's Handbookhas a special and important perspective—that of a working musician."—Mark Goldstein, Senior VP of Business Affairs, Warner Bros. Records • Straight talk and insight for musicians at every level • Concise, clear, authoritative information from a music-industry insider • Up-to-the-minute guidance on money, business, management, career planning, much more