This Business of Music: The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry, Ninth Edition (Book only) [Hardcover]

M. William Krasilovsky (Author), Sidney Shemel (Author), John M. Gross (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0823077284 | ISBN-13: 978-0823077281 | Publication Date: June 1, 2003 | Edition: 9th, Book only

This new edition addresses such important issues as the implication of MP3, the Copyright Term Extension Act, union treatment of digital music, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Published since 1964, This Business of Music is recognized as the industry textbook, and Krasilovsky, a music and copyright lawyer, offers broad and deep treatment of contracts, royalties, loans, tax issues, videos, and copyright. The new edition presents the industry in four parts: an overview, the record industry, music writers and publishers, and other aspects of the business. The coverage of technology makes sense of recent and coming changes to the laws affecting the industry, the new music delivery mechanisms, and the impact on the organizations that oversee performance rights. The writing is clear, and Krasilovsky presents complicated legal, financial, and strategic information without oversimplifying. An exceptionally rich appendix reprints important primary-source documents like the Berne Convention and the 1996 WIPO Memorandum. There is also a directory of music industry web sites. The attached CD-ROM contains copyright regulations and registration material along with numerous forms, agreements, and licenses. Both books are excellent references that improve and expand upon the earlier editions. All You Need To Know will be most appreciated by performers and writers, while This Business will be helpful to those who work on the business side.DJoan Pedzich, Harris Beach & Wilcox, Rochester, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

M. William Krasilovsky is a lawyer specialising in music and copyright matters. Sidney Shemel died in 1994, his work on the first six editions of this book is still very much in evidence throughout the current text. John M. Gross has a general entertainment practice with a speciality in music law.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Billboard Books; 9th, Book only edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823077284
• ISBN-13: 978-0823077281
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Legal Reference... ! ! !, December 29, 2000

By 

Eddie Landsberg "My 10th year as a reviewer !... (Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: This Business of Music: The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry, Eighth Edition (Book & CD-ROM) (Hardcover)

Performing, Promoting and Producing music is one thing. Music Law is another - - and when you're not a million dollar record company but just another guy trying to make and promote music, and you can't afford $200.00 an hour for *multiple* legal consultations, you might be at a disadvantage, especially when you're dealing with slicksters who do.

This book for long has been one of the few serious resources available to individuals who need to really understand "the industry" and the laws relating to you and it (including how to protect your own work and performances as well as making agreements with other people, and not infringing copyright law.) About 5 years ago it underwent a major make over to deal with the digital revolution and other chages in the industry (including the Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998) and now even has a CD rom with plenty of printable legal documents, including 23 sample agreements.

The book might not have any cute picures and rock and roll stories, but if you need a serious understanding about everything fo contracts, agreements, performing rights, protecting ideas and titles, agents and managers, various legislation and so on and so forth, this is an essential work of reference. It is defitely *not* just another "Cheesy Wannabe Pop Star Magazine Presents : How To Get Your Demo Heatf and Become a Big and Groovy Recording Artist" type book, nor is it written in such legalese, that you need a lawyer to disencipher it... it is basically the definitive reference manual for any individual involved or getting involved in the music industry to have on hand.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Reference on the Subject: Owning This Book Is a Must, October 20, 2000

By 

Niel Shell (Jackson Heights, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: This Business of Music: The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry, Eighth Edition (Book & CD-ROM) (Hardcover)

As the grandson of the prominent composer Nathaniel Shilkret, who left a legacy of several hundred works--many published by the company bearing his name, I was in need of information about the music business, with a presentation that is understandable by the layman. After obtaining several books about the music business, I found that this book uniquely fitted my needs. It is comprehensive, completely up-to-date, clear and very well organized . My relation to the composer placed me in an unusual situation not addressed in other books, but all the details of the recent (1998) relevant law were included and easy to find in "This Business of Music." This information saved me from losing royalty income. This book is not a page-turner novel for an easy night's entertainment; it is a quality reference book to be used over the years by anyone who has a serious need for information about the BUSINESS of music. Also, when I bought the book, I found it included a useful bonus: a CD with relevant laws and, more importantly, relevant sample contracts. I have many useful books in my library that are five or more times the price of this book but do not contain as much information.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best business industry book. Period., October 23, 2000

By 

Matt (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Business of Music: The Definitive Guide to the Music Industry, Eighth Edition (Book & CD-ROM) (Hardcover)

If you want dtailed information on all aspects the music industry, then this is the book you want. It's packed with everything you would need to know, and now it even comes with a CD ROM with contracts and forms, at no extra cost. If you just want fluff that covers only a few areas of the industry that reads like a Harry Potter book, then there are plenty of other books out there for that.