The internet has made the legalities of music distribution more complex. But The Law Firm of Dillon McCarthy is dedicated to helping artists make the law work for them and not just for the largest companies. Some legal considerations for artists distributing their work:
+ Company Organization
Consider, whether as a band or even an individual, forming your musical enterprise into a company like an LLC. This can help you with separating your personal assets from liability of a legal issue arises. This entity can then collect your royalties or negotiate appearances. Consult an attorney to see whether this makes sense for you.
+ Contract Drafting
If you are selling your music or performing live, there will soon be contracts involved. A lawyer should draft contracts on your behalf and review any contracts given to you by others to ensure that the terms work in your interest. If you have other artists collaborating on your tracks, consider getting the agreement on ownership and fee sharing formalized in writing.
+ Copyright and Intellectual Property
You should copyright your work. Copyright can protect the underlying compositions and the individual recordings of a song. These copyrights should usually be registered. Without registration you cannot sue someone for damages should they steal or try to profit off of your music. If you have an entire album ready at once, you might be able to register in bulk to save money.
+ Platform Negotiations
Typically getting on platforms requires having a label or a service that you pay for. But even using these methods, mistakes can be made. Your music might be listed under another artist or the royalties not get back to you correctly. The Law Firm of Dillon McCarthy can communicate on your behalf to clear these issues up.