2.0

Average Course Rating

This course covers the fundamentals of American law as it applies to the business of music, including performance, recordings, film, television, and new media. Comparison will also be made to selected aspects of international law. Along with basic business practices, students will gain an understanding of legal structures and relationships within the music business. Topics to be explored include: (a) Legal Structures of the Music Industry (b) Talent Agreements (c) Basic contract law (d) Copyrights (e) Trademarks (f) Rights of Publicity and Privacy (g ) Fundamentals of Recording Industry, and Film and Television as they relate to music (h) Music Publishing (i) Issues in Live Entertainment, and (j) Issues in New Media including streaming platforms. Students will make individual class presentations in the second half of the semester on projects chosen by the students with instructor approval. These presentations will be shared with the class. In addition to weekly lectures, there will also be a panel discussion with guest speakers drawn from the music industry.