Legal Aspects of the Music Industry [Paperback]

Richard Schulenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

This comprehensive reference features in-depth discussions of every important music industry contract, all enlivened by personal anecdotes from the author's wide-ranging experiences. Updated to reflect the rapid pace of change in the music industry, this new edition includes a focus on group agreements, live performances, free music on the Internet, the effect of the Millennium Copyright Act, ancillary rights, and the independent record label. Other key issues covered include the artists' rebellion against record company contracts, litigation by superstars and songwriters against record labels, and the industry-wide downturn in record sales.



• "I wish this book had been available when I was starting out."—Sam Moore, R&B artist, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

• For amateur and professional musicians; attorneys, universities and music schools, and libraries

• Contains over 300 examples of contract provisions


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Schulenberg was director of business affairs for CBS Records and general counsel of the music division of Paramount Pictures. He lives in Los Angeles.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Billboard Books (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823083276
• ISBN-13: 978-0823083275
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Law > Business > Entertainment

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your right to know inthe Music Industry, December 29, 2000

By 

E. Peltier "doormouse" (North Arlington, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legal Aspects of the Music Industry (Paperback)

In the beginning there was music as a form of communication. Next it became an art limited by a composers own imagination. Now it is a multi-billion dollar a year industry governed by more legal aspects than one could possibly imagine. Wading through the exceptional amount of contractually paperwork and legal jargon defining the complexity of the music business is Legal Aspects of the Music Industry. From lawyers looking for a simplified explanation for a client, to artists looking to better arm themselves to all the label reps, producers, managers, agents and so on in-between Legal Aspects... leaves no one out and no stone unturned. The wide ranging overview includes contractual explanations for royalty administration, publishing, distribution, master ownership, performance rights, management, booking, production, recording, videos, soundtracks, licensing, copyright and more. The presentation of these contracts and legal explanations is what makes Legal Aspects...

so valuable. Their original forms, including all the jargon and legalese is included and then broken down point by point, explaining the finer parts in the text and including full translations of terms and phrases. Alternate provisions are included as well as explanations as to what they entail and how they change the original textual concepts presented. All of this is then enlivened by personal experience and a range of real world examples. Legal Aspects... helps to break down the barriers between the legal, artistic and business worlds in such a way that it works both as a basic educational tool in the way it reads and a valuable reference manual in the way it is laid out. The explanations are clear and concise covering with wit and wisdom a wide array of legal ideas which present themselves on a daily basis in the music industry. It is easy to see after even just glancing through the pages that Legal Aspects... can prove invaluable for anyone even threatening to try and become a part of the business of bringing the art of music to the masses. It is not, however, meant to be a replacement for a qualified attorney who can work with the specifics of situations that are only presented as a boiler plate ideas in the book. Intellectual property and relationship contracts are very complex and dynamic legal ideas and require more than just words on a page in a single book to comprehend even partially. Legal Aspects... works as an excellent starting point to understanding their intricacy. The degree to which Legal Aspects... is written it is easy to follow and provides enough detail to be incredibly informative without bogging down the reader. It allows anyone with legal questions in the music industry to obtain the expert-type advice and beginning legal direction to better prepare them for the obsticals which still lie ahead.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off in the Music Industry....., December 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Legal Aspects of the Music Industry (Paperback)

A friend in the entertainment business gave me Legal Aspects of the Music Industry as an early Christmas present when I told him I was thinking of handling my cousin's band. There are other books on the "music industry" but this one gives you a step by step run down of how to avoid being ripped off and how to get things done right...from the start. Schulenberg knows his stuff particularly contracts and rights. Even if you are contemplating a career in the music business, get this book, it's worth every penny!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ALL THE LEGAL ASPECTS...AND SOME OF THE PRACTICAL ONES, March 22, 2004

By 

Gian Fiero (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legal Aspects of the Music Industry (Paperback)

If you are an aspiring music artist or a personal manager, you will inevitably come into contractual situations that require the employment of an entertainment attorney. This book will help you to understand some of the basic clauses that are found in most of the common industry contracts; however, for the true industry novice, much of the information contained here will go over your head. It does provide shrewd, practical advice on how to approach legal situations in a general sense, but its effectiveness will be best maximized when used to understand and improve communications with your attorney about whatever legal situation you are considering or negotiating.