Royalties & Revenue Management

The music industry is continuously evolving, and so are the laws that govern it. New music law encompasses recent legal developments and emerging issues that impact artists, producers, distributors, and consumers. Understanding these changes is crucial for navigating the modern music landscape and ensuring compliance with current regulations.

As specialists in entertainment law, we highlight key areas of new music law that reflect the dynamic nature of the industry. (more…)

The music industry, a vibrant arena of creativity and collaboration, often faces discord when it comes to royalties. Disputes over royalty payments are common and can stem from unclear agreements, complex licensing frameworks, and the rapid evolution of digital music distribution. As specialists in entertainment law, we offer insights to help artists, producers, and rights holders protect their interests and maintain harmony in their professional relationships. (more…)

As streaming services have become a dominant force in entertainment, education, and communication, understanding their taxation is crucial for businesses and consumers alike. The taxation of streaming services involves various aspects, from value-added taxes (VAT) and sales taxes to income and corporation taxes on the providers themselves. (more…)

Music sampling-the art of incorporating segments of pre-existing recordings into new musical works-has become a cornerstone of creativity in many genres. However, this practice raises significant legal issues involving intellectual property rights, leading to numerous music sampling lawsuits that highlight the complex balance between artistic innovation and copyright protection. (more…)

Music royalty laws are essential for ensuring that creators, artists, and producers receive fair compensation for their work. Understanding music royalty laws helps both newcomers and professionals avoid common legal pitfalls in the music industry.

Let’s be honest, when a great song hits you, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is ‘intellectual property’. You’re feeling the beat, connecting with the lyrics, maybe even getting chills. That’s the magic of music – it’s pure creativity, emotion, and culture rolled into one. But here’s the flip side, especially crucial if you’re in the music business: that incredible track is also a bundle of distinct legal rights. It’s not just one ‘thing’; it’s a fascinating mosaic of lyrics, melody, the actual sound recording, and even how it’s performed.

Understanding who owns what and how they get paid is exactly what music royalty laws are all about, and getting it right can be the difference between a hit song that supports your career and a missed opportunity.

Each element may have different rights holders, such as composers, lyricists, performers, producers, and publishers. Each element may also generate different types of royalties, such as mechanical, performance, synchronization, and master royalties.

Imagine a hit song: the songwriter gets royalties when the song is reproduced, the recording artists get royalties when their specific recording is played, and both songwriters and artists get royalties when the song is performed publicly. It’s like a pie, sliced in different ways!
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