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Knowledge Category

Contracts & Legal Affairs

Navigate record deals, publishing agreements, sync licenses, and band agreements without getting burned.

12 articles in this category

Your Band Name Is Already Trademarked — What Now?

You've built a following, released music, and invested in your brand — and now you've received a legal letter from someone claiming they have a registered trademark on your band name. Do you fight it, rebrand, or negotiate?

trademarkband namelegal

Who Owns the Merch and Logo When a Member Leaves?

A band member who designed your logo or created your merch has left the band. Now they're claiming they own the artwork and you can't use it without their permission — or payment. Who's right, and what do you do?

merchcopyrightIP

AI-Generated Music Is Being Released Under Your Band's Name — What Do You Do?

Fake tracks have appeared on streaming platforms under your band name. Someone has used AI to generate music and is passing it off as your work — collecting streams, potentially damaging your reputation, and confusing your fanbase. What is the takedown process and how do you protect yourselves?

AI musicfraudimpersonation

The Band Van and Gear Are in One Person's Name — And They're Leaving

A band member who owns the van, the PA, or the backline is leaving. They say the equipment is theirs. The band says it was bought with band money or is essential to the band's livelihood. Who's right and how do you resolve it?

gearvanequipment

Splitting Songwriting Royalties Fairly When Everyone Contributed

One member wrote the riff, another the lyrics, a third arranged it. Now royalties are being discussed and everyone thinks they deserve the most. How do you split publishing fairly before it becomes a lawsuit?

royaltiespublishingsongwriting

How to Negotiate a 360 Deal Without Giving Away Everything

A label is offering you a deal but they want a cut of touring revenue, merchandise sales, and sync income on top of recording rights. This is called a 360 deal. How do you evaluate it and negotiate your way out of the worst clauses?

360 dealrecord deallabel

Founding Member Leaves But Wants Royalties Forever — What Are Their Rights?

A founding member who co-wrote half your back catalogue wants to leave the band but continue receiving royalties on all songs they wrote. The remaining band members feel this is unfair. What are their actual legal rights, and how do you handle the transition?

royaltiesleaving membercopyright

My Bandmate Wants More Than an Equal Publishing Split

One band member is claiming they wrote most of the songs and wants a larger share of publishing royalties, causing serious internal conflict.

publishingroyaltiesband agreements

How Do I Protect My Music Before Releasing It?

You're about to release music publicly and want to make sure your ownership is legally protected before anyone can steal or misuse it.

copyrightPROpublishing

Do I Need a Manager and What Should the Contract Say?

You're being approached by potential managers or wondering if you're ready for one — and what a fair management deal actually looks like.

managementmanager contractcareer

A Brand Wants to Use My Song — What Do I Ask For?

A company has approached you about licensing your music for an ad, film, or TV show. You don't know what to ask for or how much it's worth.

sync licensingbrand dealspublishing

The Record Label Contract Has a 360 Clause — Should I Sign?

A label is offering you a deal but it includes a 360 clause, meaning they take a cut of everything — touring, merch, endorsements, and more.

record deals360 dealcontracts

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