Music Law: Managing a Band's Business
59mIntermediate2015-11-13
Authors
Richard Stim
Attorney specializing in intellectual property law
Course details
Any band can encounter problems such as financial mismanagement and contract disputes. Learn to avoid the major music business pitfalls that can break bands apart in this course with Richard Stim, attorney and music law specialist.
It starts with what it means to be the manager of a band, and what types of business structures are available for bands. Once you've decided on a business structure, you can create a band partnership agreement that covers voting rights, postbreakup scenarios, new members, and terms for resolving disputes. Richard also exposes potential sources of disputes, like ownership of the band name, songs, equipment, and recordings. He includes advice on negotiating solid band contracts and managing financial basics: taxes, income, cash flow, and bookkeeping. Finally, he'll address how to protect your work, including your copyrights, band name, and songs, and explains how to find a lawyer—and save money on attorney fees.
Learning objectives
Putting together a band partnership agreement
Working out ownership disputes
Limiting band liability
Protecting your copyrights and band name
Hiring a lawyer
It starts with what it means to be the manager of a band, and what types of business structures are available for bands. Once you've decided on a business structure, you can create a band partnership agreement that covers voting rights, postbreakup scenarios, new members, and terms for resolving disputes. Richard also exposes potential sources of disputes, like ownership of the band name, songs, equipment, and recordings. He includes advice on negotiating solid band contracts and managing financial basics: taxes, income, cash flow, and bookkeeping. Finally, he'll address how to protect your work, including your copyrights, band name, and songs, and explains how to find a lawyer—and save money on attorney fees.
Learning objectives
Putting together a band partnership agreement
Working out ownership disputes
Limiting band liability
Protecting your copyrights and band name
Hiring a lawyer
Skills covered
Music BusinessSmall Business and EntrepreneurshipAudio and MusicDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
1. The Band as a Business
- 02 - Who made you the manager
- 03 - Should you use a band partnership agreement
- 04 - Putting together a band partnership agreement
- 05 - Who owns your band's name
- 06 - Who owns your band's songs
- 07 - Who owns the equipment
- 08 - Limiting the band's liability
2. Taking Care of Business
- 09 - Contracts
- 10 - Finances and taxes
- 11 - Touring budgets
- 12 - Protecting copyrights
- 13 - Recording
- 14 - Affiliating with collection organizations
- 15 - Protecting your band name
- 16 - Artwork
- 17 - Hiring a lawyer
Conclusion
- 18 - Next steps