There are two reasons why an artist needs to enter into written contracts with the other creatives they hire to help them create recordings, songs or artwork: to make sure the terms are clear about the services provided and payment terms; and, to address who will own the results of the work created. This article will focus on the ownership aspects of the work created and how an artist can own the results of the creations by their collaborators they have hired and how to legally solidify that agreement.
Music Business Made Simple: Artist Development Deals Explained
There are three types of artist development deal relationships that an artist can enter into someone to develop the artist’s talents with the hopes of the artist getting a record deal with an established label. These relationships vary from working with an artist developer or investor to provide resources (time and money) to develop the artist in some or all aspects of their career; a producer who will only produce recordings for the recording aspect of the artis't’s development, and; an artist manager. The three types of agreements that will reflect these type of relationships is a Recording Artist Development Agreement, Producer Artist Development Agreement and Artist Management Agreement.
Music Business Made Simple: How To Protect Your Original Musical Works From Copyright Infringement
There is no way to prevent someone misappropriating your work. Also, someone may use your work and you never know about it. Let's say I decide to practice my mad producer of tracks skills (not) and decide to take a snippet of a Kendrick Lamar recording and use it just for my own personal reasons. No one will ever know because there will have been no commercial release to track that. And even though it is an infringement that I could be sued for, if it doesn't get released then you just won't know about it. And someone in another country could steal your work and release it and you may never know about it either, unless it because a hit in the U.S. and you hear it. But don't despair, I'll give you some information on how they still might get caught.
Music Business Made Simple (Recording Artist Advice): What Does an Artist Manager Do?
One of your most important choices as a musical artist will be selecting your professional manager. This individual will represent you to other people, provide music business counseling and guide your career. He or she probably will be your closest friend in the music business, your most trusted professional partner. Therefore, it is critical that you consider your choice of manager very carefully. The manager’s exact duties usually will depend on the artist’s level of success. I will focus below on the things a manager would do for a developing artist, like you.
Music Business Made Simple: Starting A Record Label. What Does a Record Label Do?
A record label’s sole function is to create and sell records. The term “phonorecords” is defined in the copyright law and was originally created to refer to all recording configurations created and eventually was used by the music industry to refer to physical configurations such as vinyl records, cassettes and compact discs. Though it is perfectly acceptable to refer to all configurations, including digital downloads as "records", since its likely that physical configurations eventually will become obsolete, the industry has been transitioning to the term “audio products” or just "product" to refer to generally refer to all formats.
Music Business Made Simple (Record Label Advice): Music Business Contracts As An Essential Tool
Entire law school classes are taught, and entire books are written, on legal battles related to the music business (see, for instance, They Fought The Law: Rock Music Goes To Court, by Stan Soocher). Most of these problems focus on contract disputes. That’s why, next to your attorney, the most important business tool available to you as a record label owner is the written contract. In fact, you can’t make money, sell records, or even exist as a label without contracts. The copyright and trademark laws are clear: whoever creates the vocal and musical sounds on the master recording (e.g., artist, producer, side artist, etc.), owns those sounds.
Music Business Made Simple (Music Producer Advice): A Guide To Music Producer Agreements
Traditionally, a music producer or record producer is the person who oversees entire production of the artist’s recording(s). Record producers will participate in the recording, mixing, and mastering process, more or less, depending on their level of experience and skill, and on the skills of the other professionals involved.
With the creation of hip-hop music a new kind of producer has arisen that is referred to as a "producer of tracks". He or she wears two hats: one as the creator of the music and one as the producer of the recording of that music. The “producer of tracks” creates and records the music. After that, the artist records vocals to go with the musical track. Some “producers of tracks” will help the artist to complete production of the vocals, but most will not. Instead, the artist will employ a different producer to mix the vocals with the music to obtain a final version of the song.
Music Business Made Simple: Understanding The Artist Management Agreement
One of the most important contracts an artist will sign is an artist management contract. Entering into a written management agreement will make it clear the services a professional artist manager will or will not provide to an artist and make it clear how the manager will get paid. Some of the most important terms of an artist manager's agreement is set forth and explained below:
Music Business Made Simple: How Does A Producer Get Paid
Usually, a producer is paid by the hour, by the number of master recordings completed, or a flat fee. He or she probably will ask for a royalty from the sale of the record as well. If you agree to such an arrangement, you’ll have to account to the producer and make regular royalty payments, based on record sales. These issues must be agreed upon in advance and laid out in a written contract. As always, it is recommend to consult with an entertainment attorney to provide guidance in drafting and/or negotiating this contract.
Music Business Made Simple (Record Label Advice): First Steps to Setting Up a Label
You may be starting a label because you love music, but remember, it’s still a business. And as with any business, one goal of a label is to make a profit. Therefore, you should establish good habits and a professional approach from the start. This will make your life much easier and help your label to grow more quickly. It isn’t difficult to set up a label, and you can do some things on your own. However, I recommend hiring an experienced attorney to help. This is a good investment, because even the simple stuff can be confusing if you don’t know how to do it, and any mistakes you make in the beginning will cost more money to correct later.