Music Law in the Digital Age, 3rd Edition

Copyright Essentials for Today's Music Business

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  • Suggested Retail Price: $24.99
  • Format: Book
  • Pages: 208
  • Dimensions: 6x9
  • ISBN: 9781705156483
  • SKU: 00366048
  • Publication Date: December 14, 2021

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Learn copyright essentials in order to succeed in today’s music industry.

With the free-form exchange of music files and musical ideas online, understanding copyright laws has become essential to career success in the new music marketplace. This cutting-edge, plain-language guide shows you how copyright law drives the contemporary music industry.

By looking at the law and its recent history, you will understand the new issues introduced by the digital age, as well as continuing issues of traditional copyright law. Whether you are an artist, lawyer, entertainment Web site administrator, record label executive, student, or other participant in the music industry, this book will help you understand how copyright law affects you, helping you use the law to your benefit.

  • How do you get fair compensation for your work and avoid making costly mistakes?
  • Can you control who is selling your music on their website?
  • Is it legal to create mash-ups?
  • What qualifies as fair use?
  • How do you clear another artist’s samples to use in your own recordings?
  • What is the Creative Commons/Copyleft movement?
  • How do you clear music for use in an online music service or store?
  • Who decides who gets paid, how much, and by whom?

You will learn the answers to these questions, as well as:

  • The basics of copyright law, looking at the Copyright Act while explaining it in plain language
  • How revenue streams for music are generated under copyright law
  • The reasoning behind high-profile court decisions related to copyright violations
  • What licenses are needed for the legal online delivery of music
  • The intricacies of using music on sites like YouTube
  • Deficiencies in current copyright law and new business model ideas
  • Details on the Music Modernization Act and EU Copyright Directive

“Allen has done a great job of creating and improving upon a book that unlocks the complexities of the new music industry. Any artist, songwriter, or business person looking to thrive in today’s music economy will benefit from his research and analysis of all the systems of management for recorded music, copyright law, and licensing.”

Willard Ahdritz, Founder & CEO of Kobalt

Music Law in the Digital Age provides a clear overview of the often unclear legal regimes that govern music licensing and online distribution. It is helpful as a textbook for students seeking to understand the music business, as a resource for entrepreneurs seeking to launch digital services, and as a guide for artists and songwriters seeking clarity about their royalties and revenue streams.”

– Christopher Bavitz, Clinical Professor of Law and Managing Director, Cyberlaw Clinic, Harvard Law School

“As the music industry continues to shift revenue towards streaming services, it’s more important than ever for musicians and business professionals alike to be educated on how copyright fits into the world of online music. The music business has become increasingly complicated, and Allen dissects various rights and industry practices with clarity in this definitive book on music copyright law in the 21st century. I don’t just recommend this book; it’s required reading.”

Adam Parness, Former Head of Publisher Licensing & Relations, Pandora Corp.

“Well-versed in the topics as a lawyer, researcher, professor, and music business entrepreneur, Allen is an astute guide to the laws and industry standards that define the music business. The music industry has shifted phenomenally, and this book clearly dissects all of the relevant legal and copyright changes. A worthy read.”

Ami Spishock, Founder/Owner, Fort William Artist Management

“The only thing more confusing than the issue of rights in the music industry is the U.S. tax code, which is likely to be fixed long before copyright law becomes rational and practical. When trying to earn a fair dollar for what they create in a landscape as skewed as Wonderland, what’s a young artist, producer, writer, entrepreneur to do? Start here. Allen has done a great job in clarifying the key issues surrounding copyright and dissemination of intellectual property. His book is a perfect travel guide for the intrepid ones who are willing to risk all in the terra incognita that is the modern recorded music industry. Ignore it at your peril!!!”

Bob Ezrin, Producer, Entrepreneur, Writer, Digital Pioneer (Pink Floyd, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, and Jane’s Addiction)

Authors

Allen Bargfrede

Allen Bargfrede focuses his work on the intersection of art and technology. He was the founder and executive director of…