Managing Partner
In the music industry, contracts establish guidelines for how your work is monetized and managed. Royalties determine your earnings from music sales and streams, publishing deals protect your songs and control their distribution, and artist management agreements shape your professional relationships. Each of these agreements carries unique terms that influence your career and financial stability. By carefully considering these contracts, you can secure your creative rights and ensure your contributions are appropriately valued.
Royalties: Understanding Your Earnings
Royalties are vital to an artist’s income, serving as a key way to earn money from your music. When your music is played, streamed, sold, or used in other media, you’re entitled to receive royalties. These payments can come from various sources, each with its own rules and rates.
Mechanical royalties are earned from the reproduction of your music, such as when it’s sold on physical media or downloaded digitally. Performance royalties are generated whenever your music is played on the radio, in a public venue, or streamed online. Sync royalties arise when your music is used in TV shows, movies, commercials, or video games.
Royalty agreements can be complex, with many potential pitfalls. It’s important to be aware of common issues like hidden fees, vague terms, or low royalty rates that could diminish your earnings. By securing fair and clear terms in your royalty agreements, you can maximize your revenue and ensure you’re properly compensated for your creative work.
Publishing Deals: Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Publishing deals are essential for safeguarding your intellectual property and ensuring your music reaches a broader audience while generating income. When you enter into a publishing deal, you’re essentially partnering with a music publisher who will help manage your songs, secure licensing opportunities, and collect royalties on your behalf. These deals can take several forms, including full-publishing, co-publishing, and administration deals, each offering different levels of control and revenue sharing.
In a full-publishing deal, the publisher typically takes ownership of the copyright and handles all aspects of song management, from licensing to royalty collection. Co-publishing deals allow you to retain partial ownership of your copyright while sharing responsibilities with the publisher. Administration deals, on the other hand, let you maintain full ownership of your songs, with the publisher handling the administrative tasks for a fee.
It’s important to carefully review the terms of any publishing deal, paying close attention to clauses related to ownership, royalty splits, and the duration of the agreement. By securing favorable terms, you can protect your creative rights while benefiting from the publisher’s resources and industry connections.
Artist Management Agreements: Building Your Team
An artist management agreement defines the relationship between you and the person or team responsible for guiding your professional path. A good manager is crucial in helping you secure gigs, negotiate contracts, and develop your brand. However, the terms of your management agreement will determine how much control and influence your manager has over your career and how they are compensated.
Typically, a management agreement outlines the manager’s duties, the percentage of your earnings they will receive as a commission, and the duration of the contract. It may also include clauses regarding exclusivity, meaning the manager will be your sole representative, and termination conditions detailing how either party can end the relationship.
When entering into a management agreement, it’s important to ensure that the terms align with your career goals and provide the flexibility you need. A well-negotiated contract can help you build a strong team that supports your artistic vision while safeguarding your financial interests and creative autonomy.
Contact an Experienced NYC Music Industry Contract Attorney
At Kent, Beatty & Gordon, we provide tailored legal guidance to navigate the complexities of music industry contracts. From securing fair royalty terms to negotiating publishing deals and management agreements, our team ensures your rights and interests are fully protected. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your career.