Introduction to Music Industry Law

Music industry veteran, entertainment attorney, and university educator Vince Wilcox offers aspiring artists and established business professionals alike an understandable and engaging overview of current music industry law in the United States.

This resource is organized into four modules:

1. Legal Basics: How laws are enacted by legislatures and enforced by the courts in both civil and criminal proceedings. Includes the evolution of music laws in the U.S.
2. Music Copyright Laws: How the exclusive rights of copyright holders are legally protected, licensed, monetized, and litigated.
3. Music Business Basics: How an agency operates, forming a business to limit liability, and how publicity and NIL rights function.
4. Contracts: How contracts are formed, terminated, interpreted, and enforced, including equitable and monetary damage remedies available when they're breached. Includes specific details about management, booking, live performance, record label, and publishing agreements.

Each topic contains answers to dozens of practical questions, starting with the basics and moving logically to more complicated concepts. Appropriate for high school seniors through 1L law students, this "easy read" will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under the law as well as under any music business contract you might sign.