4 Legal Protections for Your Band and Your Music Every Group Needs

The need for legal protection is much more critical in this technological age characterized by piracy. The good thing is that the law protects you to ensure that no one uses creativity illegally. If you and your friends want to start a band, you need to know your right and place in the constitution. Here is some legal protection that you need.

Click to read more ...

How To Choose Music For Retail Stores And Why It Is Important

If you haven’t already figured it out, music is quite crucial to your business and the influence you have on consumers who walk into your store. It reflects the personality of your brand, makes the experience better for your customers, and even boosts your sales if you do it just right.

The problem with most store owners is that they tend to go for the music that appeals to them, rather than the kind of music that will appeal to customers. Creating the right playlist is key. However, you need to know a few things about how it all works.

Click to read more ...

Could Strict Copyright Laws Stifle Creativity And Discourage Originality?

Back in March of 2015, Pharrell Williams claimed that the Blurred Lines copyright lawsuit will stifle creativity. Speaking for the first time since a jury determined that he and Robin Thicke copied Marvin Gaye’s ‘Got to give it up’. He explained: “The verdict handicaps any creator out there who is making something hat might be inspired by something else. This applies to fashion, music design…anything. If we lose our freedom to be inspired, we’re going to look up one day and the entertainment industry as we know it will be frozen in litigation. This is about protecting the intellectual rights of people who have ideas.”

Click to read more ...

Tribute Bands - Are They Legal?

Look through your local gig listings and chances are you’ll find as many tribute bands and singers as there are original acts. Their popularity continues to grow and not just in smaller venues. Some are able to fill the largest sites like Wembley Arena and the O2. The Australian Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin Experience, Bootleg Beatles and Hollywood U2 are examples of successful tribute bands that have performed thousands of shows across the globe, year after year. These acts have earned their success by replicating the original band’s music to a very high standard, as well as providing an exciting visual performance alongside the sonic conventions. 

Click to read more ...

The Importance Of Record-Keeping For A Band

If you’re an active musician who enjoys payment in any way, you’ll probably have to do taxes eventually. Unless you’re giving all of your music and merchandise for free, you may have already missed an important amount of work that could get you in trouble with the government. That’s normal — musicians don’t always think about it, happy their art is finally making back more than what they’re putting in. But eventually, it needs to be addressed.

See, when you have a band, in a lot of ways you are running your own small business. You are selling a product, no matter how much integrity you have in putting it together. And where there’s a profit, there’s taxes to be done and records to be kept. If you don’t get this taken care of, it could ruin your band/music later.

Click to read more ...

Music Copyright Law And The Consumer: Understanding The Basics

When enacted, it serves to prevent the illegal sharing, misuse or distribution of that content through unauthorized mediums. But, what does that mean exactly and what or who does it cover? Let’s take a deeper look.

Click to read more ...

The Legalities Of Touring

You’ve read these tour articles a thousand times — I’ve written plenty of them. By this point it’s no surprise that touring is hard. It’s no surprise that touring is expensive. And it’s no surprise that making your money back doesn’t often happen for DIY bands on their first couple of trips.

That said however, there are legalities to consider. A band is a business, whether you want it to be or not. A tour is a venture. And musicians are people who bring their own lives and difficulties to the table. So when you’re looking to tour, consider some of the legal problems that could stop you from being able to fully experience or continue to tour in the future!

Click to read more ...

Hosting A Concert Soon? Keep These Security Tips In Mind

In light of the tragic outdoor concert shooting in Las Vegas, many concert planners are taking additional precautions when planning large events, both outdoors and indoors. But even small concerts need some kind of security plan to ensure the safety of concert goers, bands and event staff. Below are four things to consider when planning your next concert.

Click to read more ...

Songwriters Beware Of The Music Modernization Act (H.r. 4706)

The stage is set for a brutal tug-of-war over tens of millions of dollars between individual songwriters and their publishers. H.R. 4706, also known as the Music Modernization Act, provides many benefits and updates to the arcane royalty structure of US copyright law. However, there are some provisions concerning unclaimed and unmatched monies which, as currently drafted, could lead to a myriad of problems for creators.

Click to read more ...

Urgent Warning!: Time Is Running Out For Artists & Writers To Exercise Their Termination Rights Under U.S. Copyright Law

 1976 Copyright Act provides for the termination of copyright transfers – but authors need to act within a limited timeframe. Creators are entitled to reclaim their copyrights regardless of any contract stating otherwise after certain time periods. Therefore, even if an author, artist, musician, photographer or songwriter signed a contract which purports to transfer all rights in a work for perpetuity, the Copyright Act provides that the author of the work can terminate that grant and demand that the rights revert. Authors and creators are now entitled to terminate their contractual transfers and demand back control of their copyrights; authors can terminate their book publishing contracts, songwriters can demand return of their musical compositions from music publishers and recording artists and record producers can demand return of their sound recordings from the record companies.

Click to read more ...

Concert Backlash: How To Deal With A DWI Charge When You’re Innocent

Imagine you’re leaving the stadium or arena, after having enjoyed a performance from your favorite singer or group. The police pull you over and put you through the process of testing your sobriety. Even though you haven’t had any alcohol, or perhaps had just a small drink that wouldn’t put you over the legal limit, the police charge you with either a DWI or a DUI.

Click to read more ...

Did Led Zeppelin Steal Stairway To Heaven?

I don’t think that any respectful musician should be proud of violating the copyright of another one. With all the social networks that exist nowadays, if someone makes a plagiarism, the news will spread worldwide in a matter of minutes. It is far too embarrassing of a place to put yourself in.

Click to read more ...

Moshpit Mashup: 4 Applicable Tips For Injuries Acquired At A Concert

Whether it’s a headline concert or a full blown festival, there’s nothing like a live concert to help you appreciate — and experience — your favorite bands. Unfortunately, concerts and festivals are also great places to get injured, whether it’s a mosh pit, an equipment malfunction, a grounds safety issue, or any of a long list of things that could go wrong. Of course if you’re attending a concert, it’s important to stay safe and protect yourself as much as possible from potential injuries. But if you do get hurt at a concert, here are a few tips you should keep in mind from a legal standpoint.

Click to read more ...

Fight For Your Rights: What To Do After Being Arrested At A Concert

Going to a concert is supposed to be a fun way to enjoy an evening. However, if you are unruly or otherwise break the law, you could be taken into custody. It is important to remember that being arrested doesn’t mean that you are guilty. What can you do to protect your rights after being arrested at a concert?

Click to read more ...