Music Law

These resources are specific to music law.  See also general copyright or trademark information.

Books

• Making It in the Music Business : The Business and Legal Guide for Songwriters and Performers
  by Lee Wilson (Paperback – November 1999)
• The Musician’s Guide Through the Legal Jungle : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Music Law
  by Joy R. Butler, et al (Audio Cassette – February 2000)
• Kohn on Music Licensing
  by Al Kohn, Bob Kohn (Hardcover – June 2001)
• Legal Aspects of the Music Industry
  by Richard Schulenberg (February 1999)
• Music Law
  by Richard Stim, Peri Pakroo (September 1998)

Basic Issues

• What is publishing? by Michael P. McCready.
• What is the law regarding sampling? by Michael P. McCready.
• What should I put on the jacket for my demo tape? by Michael P. McCready.
• What should I do when I play live? by Michael P. McCready.
• Record contract basics by Michael P. McCready.
• Music industry contracts by Michael P. McCready.
• When someone refuses to pay the band by Michael P. McCready.
• What should I put on the jacket for my demo tape? by Michael P. McCready.
• What should I do when I play live? by Michael P. McCready.
• Artist Management Agreements by Stan Soocher.
• Deal Points for Working with Music Producers by Stan Soocher.
• Handling Band Partnership Concerns by Stan Soocher.
• Independent Label Recording Contracts by Stan Soocher.
• Litigating Copyright Infringement Claims by Stan Soocher.
• How do I protect the name of my band? by Michael P. McCready.
• Rights in Band Names: Formal Agreements by Stan Soocher.
• Rights in Band Names: Informal Agreements by Stan Soocher.
• Tips for Dealing With Booking Agents by Stan Soocher.
• Tips for Music Tape-Shopping Deals by Stan Soocher.
• Tips for Negotiating Songwriting Agreements by Stan Soocher.

Specialized Issues

• The Church Musician and The Copyright Law
• Editorial Standards for Choral Publications

Copyright Registration

• Circular 50 – Musical Compositions by US Copyright Office. 
• Circular 56 – Copyright for Sound Recordings by US Copyright Office. 
• Circular 56a – Copyright Registration of Musical Compositions (PDF only) by US Copyright Office. 

Copyright

• Circular 73 – Compulsory License For Making and Distributing Phonorecords (PDF only) by US Copyright Office. 
• Circular 74 – How To Make Compulsory License Royalty Payments Via Electronic Transfer of Funds (PDF only) by US Copyright Office. 
• Circular 75 – The Licensing Division of the Copyright Office (PDF only) by US Copyright Office. Covers compulsory licenses.
• Clearing Rights to Musical Works Under the New Copyright Term Extension Act (1999) by Elliott Alderman.

Webcasting

• Primer on the Law of Webcasting and Digital Music Delivery by Bob Kohn.  September 1998.

Copyright Termination

• Fred Ahlert Music Corp. V. Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. – Post-Termination Licensing Of Pre-Termination Derivative Works: Whose Song Is It Anyway? by Eileen Siegeltuch.  (1999).  Villanova Sports & Entertainment Law Journal.

Permissions

• ASCAP
  For the right to play / perform music. 
• BMI  
  For the right to play / perform music.  Searchable database.  Sample music licenses for performance rights: airports, athletic club/dance classes, bowling centers, colleges and universities, competitions / shows, concert band, corporations and business multiple use, eating and drinking establishments, festivals, hotels / motels, meetings, conventions, trade shows and expositions, music on hold, musical attractions, radio station interims, RV parks and campgrounds, and web sites. 
• Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC)
  For the works of songwriters and publishers.  Now includes U.S. works.
• The Harry Fox Agency, Inc.
  For the right to make a new sound recording or use an existing sound recording (in TV, products, commercials, etc.)
• EMG Music Clearance (U.S.)
• The Parker Music Group (U.S.)
• Signature Sound, Inc. (U.S.)

Non-U.S. Performing Rights Permissions

• APRA (Australia/New Zealand)
• SABAM (Belgium)
• SOCAN (Canada)
• KODA (Denmark)
• STEF (Iceland)
• TEOSTO (Finland)
• GEMA (Germany)
• ARTISJUS (Hungary)
• JASRAC (Japan)
• TONO (Norway)
• SGAE (Spain)
• SUISA (Switzerland)
• COTT (Trinidad & Tobago)
• PRS (U.K.)
• Other Intl Performing Rights Societies

Non-U.S. Mechanical Rights Permissions

• AMCOS (Australia)
• GEMA (Germany)
• Nordisk Copyright Bureau (NCB) (Scandinavia)
• MCPS (U.K.)
• BIEM (Int’l)

Industry Organizations

• Recording Industry Association of America 
  A wealth of information, including recent lawsuits (Sour, Napster) 
• National Academy of Recording Arts And Sciences (NARAS) 
• American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) 
• Creative Incentive Coalition

Music Publishing Organizations

• National Music Publishers Association (NMPA)
• Music Publishers’ Association of the U.S. (MPA)

Non-U.S. Songwriter Organizations

• Songwriters Association of Canada
• Society of Swedish Composers 
• SKAP 
• Swedish Artists’ and Musicians’ Interest Org. 

Broadcast Associations

• National Association of Broadcasters
• Alabama Broadcasters Association
• California Broadcasters Association
• Florida Association of Broadcasters
• Georgia Association of Broadcasters
• Maine Association of Broadcasters
• Minnesota Broadcasters Association
• North Dakota Broadcasters Association
• Ohio Association of Broadcasters
• New Jersey Broadcasters Association
• Texas Association of Broadcasters
• Federal Communications Commission (search rules)

Other Books

• This Business of Music : The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry
  by M. William Krasilovsky, et al (Hardcover – June 2000)
• The Real Deal : How to Get Signed to a Record Label from A to Z
  by Daylle Deanna Schwartz, Daylle Deanna Schwarz (Paperback – May 1997)
• Start and Run Your Own Record Label
  by Daylle Deanna Schwartz (Paperback – December 1998)
• The Music Business (Explained In Plain English)
  by David Naggar (March 1, 2000)
• Copyright : The Complete Guide for Music Educators (2nd ed)
  by Jay Althouse (Paperback)