The music industry continues to evolve in ways that create substantial opportunities and risks. Consolidation and convergence of previously separate businesses, combined with the ever-growing impact of the Internet, cause great uncertainty about which business models will be effective, which companies will make money, and how. Our music lawyers have expertise in the wide range of issues that arise for companies that produce or use music, especially those dealing in the digital world and delivering content through the Internet or in other wired or wireless environments.
Our music industry team works intensively with a broad range of clients in the media field, including digital music services, music publishers, radio and television broadcasters, film, television and theatrical producers, advertising and marketing firms, television networks and digital media associations. We are also adept at helping our non-media clients navigate the issues that can arise when they use music in their businesses, whether it be played in the background at a retail outlet or used in advertising. Our expertise enables us to help clients spot opportunities, identify issues before they arise, manage risk, and give them the peace of mind to focus on other creative and business priorities.
We handle a broad range of issues for clients, including the following:
- Advice on copyright registration, ownership, termination, chain of title and fair use issues
- License agreements for the use of music in a variety of contexts, from film to television to advertising to live theater
- Facility and concert tour sponsorship deals
- Representation of estates and trusts owning significant music catalogs
- Endorsement agreements and other agreements relating to the use of musical talent in advertising and marketing campaigns
- Royalty disputes
Our lawyers are also well known for their work representing Internet radio companies, taking a prominent role in negotiating music royalty agreements including representing the companies before Congress and the Copyright Office in connection with the enactment of the Small Webcasters Settlement Act. We also handle all manner of agreements relating to the provision of Internet radio and other online and wireless content distribution services. Our media litigation team, recipients of Chambers USA's Award for Excellence in media law, also handles significant cases for music clients, including representing a class of more than 27,000 songwriters and publishers in the Grokster case. Along with co-counsel, we obtained a unanimous ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that Internet file-sharing services could be held responsible for distributing software that is intended primarily for illegal downloading of music and movies.
Our music industry team is part of a larger entertainment industry team that also focuses on related markets, including film, television and games. This breadth of focus enables us to help clients develop relationships and secure agreements to exploit their work across multiple channels. |