Anytime you work professionally in the music industry, having the proper legal assistance is a key factor in finding financial success and trying to expand your career. Whether you are planning to record and produce music or want to share and sell your own records, hiring an entertainment attorney is highly recommended to keep you legally protected and informed at all times.
Working together with an attorney who specializes in the entertainment or music industry will give you an advantage when making deals or signing agreements and contracts. Because the production and sale of music often involves record labels and third parties, an attorney working for you can assist you with the handling of any music publication by agreeing that you must sign.
What are music publishing agreements?
These agreements vary depending on whether you are producing the music and creating it yourself or if you plan to distribute music for another artist you are helping. Music publishing agreements cover the basis of the rights to the music that is created, as well as the details of the proceeds and how they are divided among all parties and individuals involved.
When working on the development of a music publishing agreement, it is important to consider who owns the copyright to the music and what works are covered or protected by copyright with the music publishing agreement or contract in question. . It is also important to establish who has the rights to the property and the music itself. Understanding who can collect money, royalties, and who has the power to license music is another factor to consider when creating a music publishing agreement.
The handling of the royalty, fee, cost and advance splits of the music being produced and sold should also be covered in any music publishing agreement to eliminate any possibility of a legal dispute in the future. The agreement must be understandable and understood by all parties involved with the music rights and the ability to earn income from the sale and distribution of the music. Music publishing agreements can also include co-publishing contracts, purchase agreements, or they can simply represent a single song agreement depending on the purpose of the contract and what has been decided between everyone involved.
Are Music Publishing Agreements Necessary?
In many cases, these agreements are entirely necessary so that you and the rights you have in any music you produce or sell are legally protected. When you don’t have a music publishing agreement, you may lose the rights to your music or find it sold without your permission at a price that you do not personally agree to.
If you are unsure about the type of music publishing agreements to ensure you have, working with an attorney will help you through the process. Using a music publishing agreement is ideal whether you are the artist or looking for a way to protect your rights to obtain royalties from music that you have professionally produced or distributed for the artist.
Why It Is Beneficial To Hire An Entertainment Lawyer
Hiring an entertainment attorney is beneficial if you do not have experience working in the music or entertainment industry yourself. Entertainment attorneys specialize in understanding music publishing agreements and contracts between record labels and recording studios, as well as the musicians and artists themselves.
How to find the right lawyer for you
Once you have determined that hiring an entertainment attorney is the best option for you, you can begin searching for the ideal attorney using local references and resources, as well as conducting your own online search. Finding an attorney who specializes in online music publishing agreements or contracts is one way to find an attorney who is prepared to take your case. You can also read real testimonials from previous clients who have used the services that interest you to protect themselves.
Hiring an entertainment lawyer can be helpful if you are even involved in a bitter legal case that results in a court hearing, especially if you do not agree to the terms and conditions that you have previously agreed to with a producer or artist. Working together with an attorney who specializes in entertainment and music will allow you to focus on the music you are dealing with each day rather than legal concerns.