The Musician's Legal Companion

Don't sign a recording contract before reading this book! The Musician's Legal Companion, Second Edition gets to the core of the legal issues you need to know about, in clear, straightforward language. Here you'll find easy-to-comprehend explanations of the four main contracts used in the music business: recording artist, songwriter, artist management, and performance. You'll also discover how to make the relationship with your current or future attorney more fruitful and cost-effective. This new edition includes expanded coverage of topics such as the use of independent producers, 360° agreements, distribution and marketing agreements, how radio and other media fit into an artist's career, film and television agreements, digital distribution, name and likeness agreements, merchandising agreements, and much, much more. With more than 25 years in the music business as a lawyer, educator, and writer, interacting with many musicians both personally and professionally, Michael A. Aczon shares the many lessons he's learned and takes you on a journey to a better legal understanding of the entertainment industry and your music career.

Michael A. Aczon has practiced entertainment law and managed artists since 1983. Michael has written on the business of music for Guitar Player and Electronic Musician magazines. He was a contributing writer to the book The Independent Working Musician by Mary Cosola. He is a music industry studies faculty member at two colleges in California and lectures throughout the country on the entertainment industry. Michael lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.