Music Industry Contracts: What You Need to Know

When it comes to paperwork, music industry contracts can be incredibly difficult documents to navigate. From sorting out royalties to signing with a label, there are a lot of roadblocks obstructing music artists and producers from getting the money and recognition they deserve in contracts. Knowing your rights, what to watch out for, and what’s expected of you will help you along your journey in the music industry. Whether you’re about to release your first album or are just starting out in the industry, there are some things you should know about the business and music industry contracts and how to get the best deal for your talents.

THE BASICS

Law is the not-so-glamorous side of the music industry, so when you’re navigating music producer contracts and other documentation, it’s easy for things to get overlooked. So, before we go into specific things to include—or exclude—from contracts, let’s discuss what exactly a contract is. For a document to be a valid contract, there must be an offer, acceptance, consideration, legality, and capacity. Here’s what those terms mean: 

• Offer: simply put, an offer is a statement or promise to do or not do something in exchange for a good, service, or anything else. 
• Acceptance: There needs to be a verbal or written agreement in music industry contracts from the other party with the intent to deliver on the offer. 
• Consideration: This is a term denoting something of value to be exchanged. It can refer to money, talent, time, and property, among others.
• Legality: For the contract to be legal, it must include only legal actions, nothing outside the scope of the law. 
• Capacity: Capacity means that both parties are able to enter into the outlined contract.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of music industry contracts, here are some of our most helpful tips!

GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING

It’s easy to get caught up in a great opportunity in the music industry, but contracts for music artists and producers should always be written out. It may be tempting to make a deal right on the spot, but if you don’t get a good deal, you could lose out on royalties and licenses in the long run. 

GET LEGAL ADVICE FROM PEOPLE YOU TRUST

When you’re working on a contract, a lot of people may be eager to offer you legal advice. If representatives of the opposite party offer you counsel, be wary. After all, they’re trying to get the best deal and the most money for their client. 

HIRE A SPECIALIZED LAWYER

The field of law has many different facets, from personal injury attorneys to entertainment

lawyers. So, if you need music industry contracts looked over, choose a lawyer who specializes in them. Don’t use standard accountants or lawyers to navigate the world of music contracts; you need a specialist so you can be confident that you and your talents are fully protected. 

There are many factors to consider when negotiating contracts and other legal documents, but what’s most important is that you fully understand your rights and get a contract that will help advance your career. Still have questions? Enroll in our Music & Industry Fundamentals Program or On-Demand Online Courses to get a firm grounding in everything you need to know about the music industry.