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music law

songwriters co-writing: split shares in a song

How Bands and Co-Writers Divide Percentage Shares in a Song

January 11, 2023January 11, 2023 Bobby Borg

What does copyright law say about your rights when an original idea is formed between two or more people? Here’s how some co-writers divide percentage shares in a song. Read the post.

case with money depicting the music industry's royalty distribution issue

The MLC’s $424 million royalty distribution conundrum

March 23, 2022June 21, 2022 Tony van Veen

The music industry has long had a royalty distribution problem, AKA the infamous “black box,” which represents hundreds of millions in mechanical royalties collected on behalf of publishers and songwriters who have not been paid because they cannot be tracked down. Read the post.

indie artist

You’re an indie artist — do you need legal protection?

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 Tony van Veen

When music becomes more than just a pastime and you set out to write, play, and release music, it’s time to consider steps you should take to protect yourself. Read the post.

Mechanical Licensing Collective

New music royalties: The Mechanical Licensing Collective and what it means for you

March 2, 2021March 3, 2021 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

The new Mechanical Licensing Collective collects digital audio mechanical royalties from download and streaming services. Learn about the collective and see if you qualify to sign up so you can receive these new music royalties. Read the post.

money from music

Focus on making more money from music this year

January 2, 2020January 2, 2020 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Here are 10 posts from the Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan (AKA The Music Money Guys) that will help you make more money with your music in 2020. Read the post.

Taylor Swift master rights

What can you learn from Taylor Swift’s master rights predicament?

December 11, 2019September 29, 2020 Scott McCormick

Taylor Swift’s latest industry tussle raises lots of questions for music artists. Who’s right, who’s wrong, and most importantly, what can you learn so you can avoid having to fight for your master rights? Read the post.

music revenue streams

Collect everything your recorded music can earn: Pt. II

June 19, 2019July 1, 2019 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Music revenue streams that were once only available to the traditional music industry are now available to independent musicians if you know how to collect them. Read the post.

music revenue streams

Collect everything your recorded music can earn: Pt. I

June 12, 2019June 10, 2019 Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan

Music revenue streams that were once only available to the traditional music industry are now available to independent musicians — if you know how to collect them. Read the post.

professional musicians

The PA Bill that should worry professional musicians everywhere

April 26, 2019April 26, 2019 Wade Sutton

New “feel-good” legislation passed in the PA House allows venues to hire minors as long as they don’t pay them. The implications for professional musicians seems to have been overlooked in the process. Read the post.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

What the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means to the working musician

November 28, 2018March 3, 2020 Keith Hatschek

Changes included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could have a meaningful impact for working musicians — some will keep money in your pocket, others won’t. Read the post.

SoundExchange royalties

Don’t miss out on SoundExchange royalties

June 12, 2018June 12, 2018 Keith Hatschek

SoundExchange has paid out more than $5 billion to its more than 155,000 members since its founding in 2000. Do you have SoundExchange royalties waiting for you? Read the post.

work for hire

Work For Hire agreements from a musician’s perspective

April 13, 2018April 13, 2018 Michael Gallant

In a follow up to our Work For Hire post that looked at these agreements from the producer’s perspective, this post gives advice to musicians being asked to perform/record and sign a WFH contract. Read the post.

work for hire

Work For Hire agreements: The producer’s perspective

April 4, 2018November 6, 2018 Michael Gallant

If you’re hiring musicians (or other contributors) to work on a music project, these tips from a music industry lawyer can help you navigate a Work For Hire agreement. Read the post.

Copyright Termination

Copyright termination: McCartney, Duran Duran, and the YMCA.

June 12, 2017December 18, 2017 Keith Hatschek

Copyright termination is giving music artists the opportunity to reclaim the rights to their songs. The stories of Duran Duran, Paul McCartney and The Village People’s Victor Willis tell the tale. Read More.

management tips

Management tips for musicians, songwriters, and producers

May 18, 2017May 19, 2017 Steve Gordon

If you are playing gigs, are you sure you’re not leaving revenue on the table? If you are writing songs, how can you best prepare so you’re not missing out on future income? The following management tips can help any musicians, songwriters, or producers make more money and better manage their material down the road. Read More.

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