Our music industry contracts are drafted and updated by an experienced entertainment attorney. Each type of music contract can be edited by you to conform to the terms of your deal. We also provide paragraph-by-paragraph explanations for some of our music business contracts that you won’t find anywhere else.
If you're new to the business and this is your first contract, you probably don't need to put a lawyer on a (costly) retainer. That kind of arrangement is more appropriate for a label managing multiple artists, or someone negotiating numerous contracts with different parties.
That kind of arrangement is more appropriate for a label managing multiple artists, or someone negotiating numerous contracts with different parties. Maybe you need help with contract negotiation or dealing with intellectual property issues. If you're not sure, better to get a lawyer to find out.
Music lawyers are under the umbrella of entertainment law, and many specialize in a certain part of the music industry. Understanding what you need legal help with will make it easier for you to find a lawyer who is up to the task. Knowing whether you are looking to build a long-term relationship with a lawyer is also something to consider.
A lawyer usually recommends that contracting parties talk to each other directly before getting him or her involved in the negotiations. The communication can occur over the phone or via email, and it should involve discussion of the main points and getting an agreement on the proposed changes.
Contracts Are Subject to Copyright Protection Traditionally, most people think only works like music, art or books can be copyrighted. But legally speaking, contracts can be subject to copyright protection as well. So if you lift someone's contract word-by-word without their permission, you could be violating the law.
How Long Does It Take to Draft a Contract? The amount of time it takes to draft a contract ultimately depends upon your specific needs. A basic, one-page agreement could take a few days, whereas a lengthy, complex document could take several weeks or months.
Don't Cut and Paste Your Contracts! Contracts are legally binding documents. As long as the contract is legally enforceable and properly executed, whatever is written into the contract will be legally binding on the parties.
For many, considering a music and recording career does not equate to hiring a music and recording attorney. Depending on what you plan on doing in the music and recording business, this may be one of the most important decisions you make. Not only who to hire, but when to hire a music and recording attorney should be considered.
If you are in the music industry and are presented with a contract, it is a good time to think about hiring a music and recording attorney. An attorney can often provide advice on both the wording of any contracts or agreements, as well as help draw up any legal documents you require.
Heather McDonald wrote about music careers for The Balance Careers. She has worked in the music industry for over two decades.
Music lawyers are under the umbrella of entertainment law, and many specialize in a certain part of the music industry. Understanding what you need legal help with will make it easier for you to find a lawyer who is up to the task. Knowing whether you are looking to build a long-term relationship with a lawyer is also something to consider.
Once you know what you need from a lawyer, start asking those in your music industry circles. You are almost certain to know someone who has had to visit a lawyer for a music industry issue before.
Whether you do it by phone or in person, have a brief question and answer session with your short list of lawyers. Find out what they specialize in, how soon they can work on your case, how much they charge and what their payment terms are. If you get a bad feeling or just don't hit it off with a candidate, don't feel any obligation to hire them.
Hourly Rate: Lawyers often charge an agreed-upon hourly rate for their work, and the work of their assistants. The hourly rate applies to both face-to-face consultations and behind-the-scenes work on your case. A good lawyer will usually be able to estimate the required number of hours per case in advance.
Understanding a lawyer’s previous experience is essential to understanding how they can handle your case. You’ll want to ask how many years the lawyer has been practicing. A lack of experience doesn’t necessarily make for a bad lawyer, though, especially if they have experienced lawyers around them.
Lawyers are also important partners in situations that don’t involve the courtroom, advising clients about their legal rights and obligations for personal or business issues. They are trained to interpret complicated systems of laws and navigate the court system.
These are usually non-refundable if you choose to terminate the case early. Statutory Fee: Sometimes, state or local law determines a set amount that you owe your attorney for certain services, like bankruptcy cases and probate issues. A court may also set a statutory fee, though this isn’t standard.
Whether for business or personal use, drawing up effective contracts is a skill that requires an experienced lawyer, especially when any material amount of money is at stake.
Contract lawyers have experience writing contracts and agreements; they know the correct contract formats and legal terms to protect and enhance your rights in case things don't go as planned. Should you need to sue someone, a written contract gives the judge a basis for determining your rights.
Whether you are a small business, large company, or individual, a contracts lawyer can offer the legal advice you need when dealing with contracts.
Consider the following when determining which law firm should provide legal representation for your contract case: