Music Contracts

Now You Know Everything About Recording Deals

December 11, 2017

Before you sign a major recording deal, read this post. You'll thank us later. The following comes from Steve Gordon, an entertainment attorney specializing in music, television, film and video. He's also t... Read More...

Yes, Wealthy People Can Finance Artist Careers! Here’s How to Structure ‘Artist Investment Agreements’

Steve Gordon

September 29, 2017

I've negotiated artist investment agreements ranging from $25,000 to $2.5 million. Here's everything you need to know about them. The following comes from noted music industry attorney Steve Gordon. Gordon... Read More...

Spotify, Songwriters About to Make Good?

Exclusive: This Is the Contract Songwriters Are Signing With Spotify

Paul Resnikoff

April 27, 2016

Sign this, and you sign away some of your rights. Early last month, Digital Music News broke the story of a broad-reaching agreement between Spotify and music publishers to resolve tens of millions in unpaid... Read More...

Three Contracts Every Music Producer Should Know

Steve Gordon

July 30, 2015

In this article, we'll discuss music producer agreements in the context of the indie music business rather than standard producer agreements used by major labels. This is the fourth installment of an 11-part... Read More...

F*&k It: Here’s the Entire Apple Music Contract for Indies…

Paul Resnikoff

June 17, 2015

On June 30th, Apple will be launching its streaming service, Apple Music. This is the contract that independent artists and labels are being asked to sign, including a clause that allows Apple to pay nothing t... Read More...

This Is the Contract SoundCloud Is About to Sign With Music Publishers…

Paul Resnikoff

June 1, 2015

SoundCloud has over 175 million unique users, 40 million of them registered, with over 12 hours of audio content uploaded every minute. Which might explain why major labels and publishers are very serious ... Read More...

A Simple Guide to Signing the Best Sync Deal Possible

Steve Gordon

May 25, 2015

Looking for information on how to properly vet, structure, and sign a synchronization (or 'sync' deal)? You've come to the right place. The following is from our ongoing series, 'The 11 Contracts Every Arti... Read More...

F*&K It: Here’s the Entire Spotify/Sony Music Contract…

Paul Resnikoff

May 22, 2015

Earlier this week, attorneys at Sony Music Entertainment forced The Verge to remove a leaked contract with Spotify, citing questionable copyright claims. As the details of this contract are extremely important... Read More...

The Contract from Hell That You Should NEVER Sign

Steve Gordon

March 19, 2015

The following is part of a series by music industry attorney Steve Gordon that focuses on every type of artist contract imaginable. Part 1 of this installment will focus on production companies a... Read More...

The Management Contract That Every Artist, Songwriter, and Producer Should Have

Steve Gordon

February 25, 2015

(Advertisement) Click Here to Purchase This Template Contract The following comes Steve Gordon, regarded as one of the top attorneys in the music industry. Last week, he outlined 11 contracts ... Read More...

The 11 Contracts Every Artist, Songwriter and Producer Should Know

Steve Gordon

February 9, 2015

The following comes from music industry attorney Steve Gordon (more on him below). Although there is no truly “standard” agreement, many music business contracts begin as “form” agreements before the ter... Read More...

F*&K It: Here’s the Entire YouTube Contract for Indies…

Paul Resnikoff

June 23, 2014

164

Burt Bacharach Dazzles at the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards in LA — Here’s Who Took Home Trophies

“My Whole Source of Income Just Disappeared” — How Two Musicians Are Dealing With Cancelled Concerts

What Does It Take to Succeed In Songwriting? Surprising Lessons from Two Successful Sync Writers

How a Movie Score Is Really Made — According to a Top Hollywood Director

Want to Get Your Music Heard? It Starts With the Winning Pitch

Want Your Music In a Major Gaming Series? Meet the Guys Who Create Their Soundtracks

Artist Branding Isn’t Selling Out Anymore — But What’s the New Balance?

An Insanely Detailed Discussion About the Music Modernization Act

Meet Lady A, the Black Blues Singer Whose Name Got Taken by Lady Antebellum — Our Latest Podcast

Spotify Probably Owes You More Money — Here’s How to Get It (Our Latest Podcast)

Meet the Artist Who Is Literally Saving His Fans’ Lives — Our Latest Podcast

How to Game the Billboard Charts (And Why You Shouldn’t) — Our Latest Podcast

Meet the Single Mom Cellist Who Makes a Living Off Her Music — Our Podcast Interview

How to Protect Yourself From the Copyright Trolls — Our Latest Podcast

Kanye West’s Label Contracts Include Master Ownership, Profit-Sharing Deals, and Multi-Million Dollar Advances

Kanye West Calls Music Industry a ‘Modern Day Slave Ship,’ Refuses to Release New Music

DJ Marc Kinchen’s Sad Story Is a Reminder — Always Read Your Contracts

J. Cole Admits He Didn’t Read His Roc Nation Contract Before Signing It

Judge Orders 1501 Entertainment to Release Megan Thee Stallion’s Music

Now You Know Everything About Recording Deals

Yes, Wealthy People Can Finance Artist Careers! Here’s How to Structure ‘Artist Investment Agreements’

Exclusive: This Is the Contract Songwriters Are Signing With Spotify

Three Contracts Every Music Producer Should Know

F*&k It: Here’s the Entire Apple Music Contract for Indies…

This Is the Contract SoundCloud Is About to Sign With Music Publishers…

A Simple Guide to Signing the Best Sync Deal Possible

F*&K It: Here’s the Entire Spotify/Sony Music Contract…

The Contract from Hell That You Should NEVER Sign

The Management Contract That Every Artist, Songwriter, and Producer Should Have

The 11 Contracts Every Artist, Songwriter and Producer Should Know

F*&K It: Here’s the Entire YouTube Contract for Indies…