Music

The music industry is in a state of flux, and facing some fundamental questions about what the business model of the future will be.

On this view, the future lies in greater use of Digital Rights Management software to track the use of music so that listeners can be charged each time a track is heard.

With the widespread tendency for growing numbers of people to download music without paying for it, and to share files, this is the hot topic within the industry. Some favour the approach of some collecting societies who have recently taken legal action against individuals.

Others believe that music has become a commodity, and that the future lies in subscription services, whereby for a monthly fee subscribers will have the ability to access music freely.

What is certain is that the convergence of technology, brings ever greater challenges not just to the business models, but also for lawyers involved in this industry, who have to keep pace with the fast moving technological developments. One of the latest examples of this is the exploitation of content via mobile telecommunication devices

Our clients are drawn from artists, publishers, and producers from the music and television industries as well as record companies.

Thoroughly understanding the needs of both publishers and artists, we have particular expertise in providing advice and contracts to our clients throughout the industry on a variety of issues including:

• Copyright protection and enforcement
• Agreements between band members
• Contracts and agreements with management
• Contracts and agreements for recording and publishing
• Sampling and copyright clearances
• Branding and trademark issues
• Merchandising and sponsorship agreements
• Distribution agreements
• Joint ventures
• Image and personality rights
• Libel and slander
• Internet and website issues including social networking sites
  
  

What next?

If you need legal work please call us on +44 (0)20 7700 1414 or if you prefer send us an enquiry using the form below. Depending on your requirements we may suggest a free meeting. This is often the best way to assess whether we would be the right firm for you, and to understand the work involved, your priorities, attitude to risk, and desired timescales.