Scenario: You come to rehearsal with a new guitar part and some lyrics for a song, but you don’t...
Music Contracts & Law
Learn more about legal topics in the music industry like copyright law, royalties, and performing rights organizations.
SCOTUS, Copyright, Sex, and Beer
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, I do not play one on TV, but like Jay-Z, I know a little bit… You...
INSURANCE BASICS: What’s The Difference Between a Claim and a Lawsuit?
A few months back, we posed a question to our readership, asking if they had any entertainment...
Spotify’s Mysterious Royalty System Explained
Since its debut in the U.S. in 2011, a lot has been written about Spotify and its effect on artists, labels and the music industry at large. Many have derided the free streaming music service for...
How to Start Your Own Publishing Company
At its core, a music publisher’s job is to administer the copyrights in songs and license your work to record labels, radio stations, filmmakers, advertisers, etc. A publisher collects license fees,...
How to Run a Live Music Venue: Age Restrictions, Alcohol, Liability & The Law
RUNNING A MUSIC VENUE COMES WITH MANY STRINGS ATTACHED. While a main concern is booking quality bands and getting a paying audience in night after night, there are many other considerations that a...
Download Performer’s FREE Legal Guide to the Music Business
Performer's committed to bringing you the most useful advice when it comes to your career. That's why we're bringing you the second installment in our FREE industry guides - quick PDFs jam-packed...
How to Keep Tabs on Your Record Label’s Books
IF YOU’RE SIGNED TO A LABEL, THE MONEY YOU EARN FROM RECORD SALES doesn’t flow directly from your supporters to your pocket like it did in the early days. A majority of your income now flows from...
Recoup Money You’re Owed From Shady Promoters
LIVE PERFORMANCE VENUES FUNCTION IN A FORMER ERA. Handshake deals are commonplace, ink is rarely spilled, and a promoter or venue owner’s word is often all you have to go on before you take the...
Why A Million Plays on Pandora May Only Net You $16
THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN A PAY DAY. With a multitude of income-generating avenues available for musicians on the Internet, there is no shortage of ways to make money online. How much you can...
Concert Security: How to Protect Yourself, Your Fans, and Avoid a Lawsuit
THE SAME ELEMENTS THAT MAKE FOR A GREAT SHOW can sometimes turn against you. The combination of large crowds, loud music, dancing, booze and a host of other elements are often a breeding ground for...
LEGAL PAD: Tips for International Touring
No matter what side of the spectrum you are on, touring in a foreign land can be complicated. If you’re considering your first tour or festival overseas, here are some things to keep in mind:...
LEGAL PAD: Stealing Your Way Up The Charts
The website www.ThatSongSoundsLike.com is dedicated to one mission: placing similar sounding audio clips from well-known artists side-by-side. With hundreds of submissions posted over six years,...