The Importance of Music Licensing Agreements

Working in the music industry is highly competitive and can oftentimes become stressful when handling money, legalities and costs or fees involved with producing and distributing music. Whether you are an artist trying to earn a living from your music or a producer and distributor looking to generate a profit from helping artists, hiring a music licensing lawyer is often necessary to avoid any potential legal issues from arising in the future.

A licensing lawyer who works in the music and entertainment industry can help to assist you with any potential legal battles, threats or disagreements you encounter whether you have written the music yourself or agreed to distribute it for an artist. Hiring a licensing attorney which works with music is highly recommended whether you are new to the music industry or simply seeking protection to avoid any legal confrontation regarding the music itself.

What is a Music Licensing Agreement?

A music licensing agreement is a contract that is often agreed upon between artists, record labels and music distributors depending on who is managing the artist and the type of sales that are planning to be made. Music licensing agreements cover the legalities of who has the legal rights and ownership to the music that is being made and sold and who is legally capable of benefiting from the profits that are generating.

Covering royalties, licensing rights and even costs or fees will also be covered in any music licensing agreement or contract that is drawn up by another legal team or your own lawyer. Licensing agreements may also include information about the limitations or restrictions involved with licensing the music to radio stations, online or even within television shows and movies. The more detailed the agreement is, the easier it will be to keep yourself protected legally regardless of the position you are in.

Who Needs a Music Licensing Agreement?

Using a music licensing agreement is necessary for both artists and entrepreneurs who are producing or distributing music as a business for profit. Having a music licensing agreement in place often involves multiple parties and clearly states all individuals' responsibilities as well as the profits they are entitled to earn once the music has sold. Keeping a music licensing agreement in place is a way to avoid any legal action or disputes between anyone involved in the entire process of creating, marketing and distributing the music to any size audience.

The Necessity of a Licensing Agreement in the Music Industry

Having a licensing agreement in place with any deal you make in the music industry can come in handy if you are ever faced with a lawsuit or if the parties and individuals you are working with want more money in the future that was not agreed upon. Having a licensing agreement can protect you financially and legally to keep your career intact whether you recorded the music yourself, distributed it or developed it as the artist or musician yourself.

The Benefits of Hiring an Entertainment Lawyer

When you hire an entertainment lawyer who specializes in working with music publishing and licensing agreements, they are able to read and review all paperwork or documents that you are required to sign to ensure you are thoroughly protected legally. A music licensing lawyer is also able to find the best solutions for you individually to ensure you are earning as much money as possible without causing issues or legal problems. Music licensing attorneys have the knowledge of various types of contracts, whether you are in need of a single song contract, or if you are searching for a partnership contract when joining together with an artist, producer or music distributor in the industry.

Having an attorney by your side while creating a licensing agreement or reading through one is a way to ensure you are making the right decisions to keep yourself legally protected at all times. A lawyer who specializes in licensing can also inform you whether or not the agreement or contract is fair to you and how you can benefit even more from the right type of agreement that is written with you in mind.

Finding the Right Attorney

Hiring the right music licensing lawyer is possible by asking for a referral locally in addition to researching qualified professionals online. Comparing lawyers who specialize in the music and entertainment industry is ideal to save time and to ensure each professional you are interested in hiring is qualified and experienced enough to take on your case personally.