Protect Your Music Before You Sign A Music Contract

This is not legal advice and I am not a music attorney. I am just offering my personal experiences to those who are new to song writing and are hoping to take it further. Before you even go looking for a music contract you would be wise to protect your music in the first instance. I have found The Guild of International Songwriters & Composers based in the United Kingdom to be a great way to have your music recording and written lyrics logged as your work.

 

I am not saying that a prospective record company offering you a music contract will steal your songs, however, history tells us it happens from time to time. Come on all you veteran band members out there how many of you after a few beers down the local nightclub start arguing over who actually wrote the songs during those long rehearsals? Usually there are a lot more accusations and swear words. Also, if you believe all the rock myths and legends of bands splitting up many a fight, stabbing and even gunshot has occurred over just who owns what when the sands of time finally lay the finished song to rest.  Don’t let it be you. Also, Don’t sleep with any of the band member’s husbands, wife’s or partners etc. This tends to evoke the same human responses.

 

I won’t waffle on any more. Why don’t you check out The Guild of International Songwriters & Composers official web site for more info at

 

www.songwriters-guild.co.uk

 

 I know this is a UK site but I am sure whatever country you reside in you would do well to seek out an organisation that can also provide a similar service where copyright is concerned.

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Negotiating Your Music Contract

Well when I was a young 18-year-old guy the mere mention of a possibility of a music contract sent my head spinning and my heart a flutter with desire and lust. Just someone offering either me or any of my musical friends a music contract in the late 1980’s would have got us running with our arms slashed to sign the dotted line in blood to our new life of fame. I don’t think we even cared who the record company was or what kind of paper the music contract would have been written on. Yes that does mean it could have been toilet paper. However, I am older and wiser now and not prone to such lustful desires. Hmm, this might just be the male menopause starting early. Also, with the advent of the Internet and the possibility of selling your own music on line with for example Itunes or Amazon.com do you need a music contract?

 

More over, when you do sign the said music contract masquerading as toilet paper how do you know under what terms it should be if you don’t know the first thing about them? I can’t think of a time in history where an artist has such power to control his or her own musical career. However, it will be cut short if you sign the wrong music contract and don’t learn the art of negotiation. So to get you on the way to being a shrewd operator have a read of this article below by a guy who has real experience in these matters.

 

 

Negotiating Music Contracts by

 

No matter who you are, from the get-go, music contract terms are negotiable. If

you are just starting out in the music industry, it is all a bit overwhelming.

But don’t worry, it is possible for a “newbie” to receive a fair music contract

from a dependable label.

 

The first thing you have to keep in mind is that in this industry everyone is

looking out for themselves first. Even honest labels are going to try to

negotiate for their best interests. Beware of the dishonest companies that do

not keep the artist in mind at all in the music contract negotiation process.

This is why your education and experience with music contracts is so crucial.

One common thing to look out for when discussing music contracts is when you are

asked to sign a standard music contract .

 

They may even try to tell you that this is just a formality and everyone signs

this particular document. A red flag should pop up in your head, especially if

you are told this is your chance of a lifetime. You and your career is unique

and so should be your music contract .

 

No matter what, you should always ask questions if you have them. If you do this

and the label suggest you are insinuating that they are not being upfront with

you then they probably are not being upfront. It is your right to ask any

question and if it puts your music contract deal in jeopardy then you should

ponder why that is. The answer is that this is not an honest company and maybe

you should look elsewhere. Don’t compromise your career just to sign with

someone. Let them see that you are not just a desperate artist ready to sign on

any dotted line. Ask for time to read over the contract with a legal

representative or trusted acquaintance. It is imperative that you understand

every aspect of the music contract at hand.

 

You may consider hiring an entertainment lawyer but they are very expensive. If

you are someone who can afford this then by all means go for it but most

struggling artists cannot. This is o.k. You do not have to hire an attorney to

look over your music contract . It is possible to do this on your own or with

the help of a friend, manager or family member.

 

The goal here is to negotiate a fair music contract with a legitimate record

label. If a company is honest and forthright then they will be willing to answer

any question and explain every clause. Don’t just sign because you are desperate

to be a signed artist. Sometimes a signed artist is just as bad off as a solo

struggling musician when they have signed a bad deal! Be smart and good luck!

 

About the Author

 

Owner of Platinum Millennium publishing, former record label owner & national

music industry seminar speaker/panelist. Author/creator of best-selling music

biz books, courses, audio products & “How to” resources that helped 1000s. Go to

http://www.Order-Yours-Now.com for more on music contract & music contracts .

 

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If You Breech Your Music Contract You Might Get Sued

Another issue with signing a music contract is you might later brake the terms of it. Not a wise idea especially if yours is with top producer Timbaland. So when you have signed your contract it would be for the best if you took some time and professional advice to understand it properly. Something that can seem initially black and white can suddenly turn very grey even for the most experienced outfits like Showtime in Australia.

 

As the article states “The 37-year-old star claims that the company ruined the concerts and tarnished his image”.

 

Check out the full article Timbaland Sues Australian Music Promoter by Ivana Cheong at http://TheCelebrityCafe.com to take a closer look at a real life example of how breaches of a music contract could potentially affect you.

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Legal Aspects of the Music Industry

Do you really believe in your music?

 

Many of my musical friends fall asleep when I even mention the dreaded music contract and the importance of knowing at least the basics about them. Strange since they claim that their music has possible commercial value. One of my friends even signed a five year distribution deal with the Orchard the biggest online distributor of independent music so I am told without even consulting anyone in a legal capacity. Believe me it’s one hell of a music contract. I might not be a legal beagle but I do have a first class University degree in Psychology so I don’t think I am particularly stupid. However, I sure felt like it after reading The Orchard’s music contract. So if like my friend’s you don’t want my advice, at least read this article below from someone who knows rather a lot about music contracts.

 

  Whether you realize it or not, the creative side and the business side of the

music industry is inevitable linked. Unfortunately, for artists, the business

side of the industry is boring and overly technical but that does not change the

fact that you must be informed to stay successful. These two sides become linked

with talk of music contracts . Music contracts are legal documents that specify

terms and conditions for all parties involved in any type of situation.

 

No matter how great of an artist you are, when it comes to music contracts, you

need to operate like a professional businessman or businesswoman. Aside from

just music contracts , your music career can be affected legally by record

contracts, publishing contracts, copyright law, name protection and business

organization.

 

The legal aspect of the music business is unavoidable, that is why you have to

educate yourself. And don’t just educate yourself on the legal requirements of

the artist in music contracts , study how a music contract can affect everyone

involved, engineers, agents, managers, producers, recorders etc… Every

individual working in the music business today should convert themselves into a

business person in addition to being an artist. Here are some things you should

understand to be a success in your music career. * Learn who is involved in the

music industry, the main players, who they are and when you may need them. *

Your music career is your business, so aside from just music contracts , you

need to know how to run your business, your finances, your administration and

your rights. * What legal issues are a unique concern to artists and

songwriters? You need to grasp copyright law, recording agreements and

publishing agreements. * Explore the common types of music contracts including

club contracts, distribution agreements, production contracts and label

agreements. * In music contracts there are several parties that play a role

including; managers, agents, producers, club owners and investors. Understand

the roles of everyone involved. * Lastly, keep yourself informed of changes in

legal issues concerning artists in the music industry. I completely understand

if this all sounds overwhelming to you but at the same time, it is vital to your

success. Take a course on the legal aspects of music contracts and the music

industry. At the very least, read some books on the subject. You really need to

arm yourself with knowledge in this industry before you sign any music contract

. Don’t be apart of the rising statistics of great artists who failed because of

signing bad music contracts .

 

About the Author

 

Owner of Platinum Millennium publishing, former record label owner & national

music industry seminar speaker/panelist. Author/creator of best-selling music

biz books, courses, audio products & “How to” resources that helped 1000s. Go to

http://www.Order-Yours-Now.com for more on music contract & music contracts .

 

 

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Protect Yourself Against A Bad Music Contract

I have had many kinds of music contract offered to me in my youth that I initially thought would lead the way to stardom. Fortunately for me my best friend’s dad had a client of his hairdressing salon who was a qualified practicing music attorney or (solicitor) as they are known in the United Kingdom. I was blessed with some free advice about music contracts from the lady over the few years I new her. If I had not taken her advice my music would never have been for sale on any retail music web site. Instead my music would have been controlled by a multitude of people with little in the way of music business acumen and my songs would have never seen the light of day in a commercial sense.

 

I was very very lucky (not wise). Few have had this luxury of free legal advice. In the late 80’s the Internet was not available to the likes of me. However, today there is help out there. This can put you in the right direction without breaking your piggy bank in the process. For example take a good read of this article by Ty Cohen.

 

Many thanks to him for his incites. For more Free information on this

subject visit http://www.MusicContracts101.com

 

Music Contracts are one of the most important documents you will ever sign. They

include a wide range of agreements; ranging from live performances to recording

agreements. However they all share something in common. They can make or break

your career. If you are not careful the company or club etc. will tip the

agreement in their favor and leave you high and dry. Here are some steps to take

to protect you from bad deals

 

1.Do not hesitate to get help: If you have any doubts enlist the services of an

entertainment lawyer. Or simply employ a manager who knows all about agreements.

 

2.Be sure the Music Contract honors verbal promises: Verbal promises are

worthless, however written ones are gold. Be sure to listen to the company

representative and be wary if they want to delay putting in a clause or showing

your lawyer the agreement. They might be purposely trying to hide a clause by

not putting it in writing. This can spell trouble for you and cause you to lose

money big time. Whatever is promised should always be in writing so that nobody

can go back on their word. What you read is what you get, what you hear is not

necessarily so.

 

3.Read the Music Contract carefully: It does require a little knowledge to be

sure that you are signing an agreement that will favor you and not the company

or club. Never just sign on the dotted line always make sure that you understand

each clause that is written in the agreement. After all it is your career and

ultimately your money on the line. Companies are impartial they will try to get

as much money out of the deal for themselves as possible. To do this they are

not above slipping small clauses in to favor themselves. As far as they are

concerned they are out to get as much as they can out of the deal even if it

means short changing you.

 

4.Only when you are satisfied sign the Music Contract: do not let anybody rush

you into signing the agreement. This is a very important document and will

affect your future. If you allow yourself to be cajoled into signing something

without reading it properly the companies can literally steal the entire deal

and leave you with nothing. These agreements can change careers overnight and

can bring you to the peak of success if you manage them correctly.

About the Author

 

Visit http://www.MusicContracts101.com for more information on Music Contracts

and other free resources by Ty Cohen, nation-wide music industry seminar speaker

and panelist.

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