Legal Advice Post...(ongoing)...

[insight:a:riot]

I have been practicing for almost 9 years (Michigan). Experience in different areas, but specializing in intellectual property/entertainment matters (familiar with Cali and NY law as it relates to these areas).

I was induced to start this thread (pro bono) by a board contributor and partner. If I can't answer a specific question, I will try to direct you to a better source (if necessary). This isn't a solicitation, hustle, etc....It's a resource sharing that bgol has earned...

"Remember What Happened in 2008"

 

[flipflop]

...can beats (meaning just the music track with no lyric or melody) be copy righten?

 

[flipflop]

...How much doese it cost to review production or songwriting contracts?

 

[insight:a:riot]

...can beats (meaning just the music track with no lyric or melody) be copy righten?

yes.....use Form SR (sound recording) to copyright beats only

 

[insight:a:riot]

...How much doese it cost to review production or songwriting contracts?

Costs for contract reviews vary. Most entertainment attorneys will charge a flat fee ($100-$1,500 range), but the more prominent the attorney the more likely you will be required to pay a retainer in the coupla Gs range before they even sniff your ink...THE BEST BET IS TO LOCATE AN ASPIRING LAW STUDENT OR YOUNG ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SAVE $$$.

There are also several books that provide music industry contract analysis and review. They are helpful and are often used by most of the "prominent" attorneys mentioned above (lol). Donald Passman's "All You Need to Know About the Music Business." "This Business of Music"

 

[DESHAUN MICHAELS]

Great Thread Idea.very Informative And Helpful.thanks

 

[LUCHINI]

Can you handle trademark matters? is so, how much? i might need about 2 of them done

 

[Casca]

Your Crafts Business: A Legal Guide by Richard Stim

This may give you the basic concepts.



Your Crafts Business: A Legal Guide by Richard Stim (Author)
Publisher: NOLO; Pap/Cdr edition (January 2003) | ISBN-10: 0873378385 | PDF | 5,8 Mb | 300 pages
U.S. craftwork is $13 billion industry and crafts artisans now average $76,000 in annual sales. As the crafts business has increased, so have the legal and business problems. Fortunately, you now have a guide to help wind your way through the maze of legal and business rules.
Your Crafts Business covers everything from intellectual-property rights to dealing with business taxes.
Learn all about:
*contracts, consignments, sales, shows and collections
*business basics
*copyrights, design patents and trademarks
*preventing infringement and tracking down infringers
*licensing principles and agreements
*hiring and firing employees, contractors and sales reps
*lawyers, lawsuits and liability
*getting your crafts business on the Web
*and more
Your Crafts Business clearly explains legal principles that protect a crafts business and help it grow. It also provides practical advice on how to deal with day-to-day problems -- such as dealing with delinquent payments. The book provides over a dozen tear-out contracts and other legal forms, plus step-by-step instructions to fill them out.

http://rapidshare.com/files/31798207/nolo_press_your_crafts_business_a_legal_guide.rar

 

[Tripster]

Props. Not in the entertainment biz, but I can respect this.

 

[insight:a:riot]

Luchini PM or email at agharrisasso@yahoo.com regarding trademark registrations...There are also services that offer expedited registrations for a few hundred dollars or less but I can't speak of their reliability. Make sure that you know that a "trademark" is what you need registered, however, so you may want to PM me first.