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Indie Music Legal  Step Level 2.b. What it is & Why?

Music is a business, as well as a creative process.  The business aspects must be understood and managed to achieve success. The deeper you get into the music industry, the more intricate the business becomes and the more you need to know and comprehend. IMA’s Music Legal walks you through all the major aspects of the music business to gain understanding and appreciation of what to do and how to do it.  

Indie Music Legal offers insights and education in many legal areas you might encounter while pursuing your music craft and career.

When you have initial success by getting a song published, or placed with a label or recording artist, you may begin working with co writers, publishers, song pluggers, producers, record companies, managers and others to expand your success. You will need to understand many legal matters such as publishing, copyright and performing rights and how they influence you.

Music Legal will provide resources to develop knowledge and understanding of each segment of the music business.

At Indie Music Legal we will discuss and provide information on many aspects of the music industry, including the following:
  • When do you need an entertainment attorney? When you sign anything.
  • Music Copyright law & information. What is copyright? How to register a music copyright. Joint Copyrights. Copyright Infringement. Works for hire.
  • Internet Law & Copyrights in Cyberspace.
  • Song & Music publishing. Publishing Contracts.
  • Music Licensing Agreements.
  • Licensing Agreements for Advertising, Film, and Television.  
  • Collaboration and co-writing.
  • Mechanical rights
  • Music Industry contracts.  Understanding what both parties are getting into before committing. Need for written agreements. Contract clauses to protect you.
  • Problems with “standard” or generic contracts.
  • Performance Contracts.
  • Booking Agreements.
  • Recording Artist Contracts.
  • Performing Rights Organizations: ASCAP-BMI-SESAC
  • Music Managers. Management Agreements and the Power of Attorney
  • Music Sampling.
  • Your music as a new business. What kind of Business should I be? Creating a Business Team. Small Business Organization. Dangers of “dba.”
  • Protecting your Business Name,  Artwork & Graphics. Trademark Law.
  • Member access to the Music Legal Level 2.b. data base.
  • Member Access to the IMA Member contact data base & other music industry contacts for networking.
  • Member Access to data, contacts, and assistance for your particular situation.
  • Music Crisis Chats

William (Bill) L. Whitacre  IMA Board of Directors Entertainment Law expert on copyright, music publishing, PRO's collaboration and co-writing, licensing for Film/TV, artist deals, digital rights, project funding relationships  and more...... Visit his website and myspace for credits and client list. Some include, "the Blair Witch Project" and other film and performing artist experiences.

 
Legal Disclaimer: Although IMA strives to make all information on this site accurate, we must emphasize that this is a general industry legal review, and does not constitute individual legal advice. Additionally, this site may contain links to various government and information pages useful for legal research. IMA has no control over the content of the linked pages, and cannot be responsible for the accuracy of any information on the linked pages. For answers to specific questions, you should consult an attorney familiar with your particular situation.
Once you have successfully completed step/level Music Legal you are then ready to move onto the next appropriate Step as determined by your Action Plan.
Join Step  1: MUSIC FACTORY,  1.a. CRITIQUE & 1.b. RECORDING  More on about and how to join... Join Step 2: PUBLISHING, 2.a.PLUGGING & 2.b.LEGAL  More on about and how to join... Join Step 3:  RECORDS, 3.a.DUPLICATION, 3.b.DISTRIBUTION More on about and how to join... Join Step 4:  RADIO  4.a.MUSIC SHOP More on about and how to join... Join Step 5: MANAGEMENT, 5.a.PROMOTIONS & 5.b.PRODUCTIONS More on about and how to join... Join Step 6: TEACH More on about and how to join... Become a Sponsor, Affiliate or Increase Membership Level Here More on about and how to join...

 

 

 

How to Join

www.IndieMusicAssociation.org