Art and Media Law

Music Royalty Laws: What You Need to Know

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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Video Game Piracy Laws: What You Need to Know

Video game piracy has long been a concern for game developers and publishers, leading to the implementation of stringent laws to protect intellectual property. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of video game piracy laws, exploring the legal landscape, consequences, and preventive measures that individuals and entities should be aware of. (more…)

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The Law as a Literary Form

Ever flipped through a screenplay and admired the tight structure and evocative descriptions? Or marvelled at the lyrical genius in a hit song? You might be surprised to learn that the legal documents underpinning those creative works – the talent agreements, the copyright registrations, the distribution deals – can possess a similar artistry.

While many people peg law as purely ‘technical’ or ‘dry’, when you get to know the world of entertainment law, you discover that legal documents themselves can be incredibly creative and even literary. Think about it: every clause in a contract is meticulously chosen, every phrase debated, all to weave a precise narrative that protects an artist’s vision or a studio’s investment. It’s a high-stakes form of storytelling where the language isn’t just functional; it’s foundational to making entertainment magic happen. (more…)

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The Legal Definition of Literary Works

The legal definition of literary works is broad and encompasses a wide range of creative expression. In general, a literary work is any work of authorship that is expressed in words, regardless of the medium in which it is fixed. This includes books, articles, poems, scripts, musical compositions, and computer software. (more…)

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Literary Laws and Copyright: What You Need to Know

Literary works are one of the most valuable forms of human expression and creativity. They include books, essays, articles, blogs, poetry, and other written works that convey ideas, emotions, information, or stories. Literary works are also protected by a legal system known as copyright.
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Trademark Law Essentials for Artists and Entertainers: Protecting Your Brand

Trademark law is a type of intellectual property law that protects words, phrases, symbols, and designs that are used to identify the source of goods or services. For artists and entertainers, trademark law can be used to protect their brands and prevent others from using confusingly similar marks. (more…)

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Art Law: A Guide for Artists, Collectors, and Dealers

Art law is a complex and ever-evolving field that governs the creation, ownership, and sale of art. It covers a wide range of topics, including copyright, trademark, contract law, and cultural property law.

Think about a famous painting suddenly claimed to be a fake, or a sculpture illegally smuggled across borders – these are just glimpses into the real-world drama that art law addresses every day. (more…)

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