Attorney - Music law: how to run your bands business

Thanks to those who provided me with helpful information in various chapters: Craig Leon, Kathryn Roessel, George (area 51) Earth, Frank Gallagher, Andrea Ross, Andy Olyphant, Lindsay Hutton, Howard Thompson, Don Ciccone, and Marc Weinstein.

This book is for Joseph D. Stim and Roberta Stim. (Thanks for coming to my shows.)

Richard Stim is a lawyer and musician who has performed with Angel Corpus Christi, Mx-80 Sound, and Bar Stool Walker. He is also the author of other books including Getting Permission (Nolo), Profit From Your Idea (Nolo), and Patent, Copyright & Trademark: An Intellectual Desk Reference, (Nolo).

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Its very easy in this business to find people who are willing to put their arm around you and tell you how great you are. Unfortunately, their other hand is in your pocket.

Paul Stanley of KISS

Lou Reed once told an audience, Give me an issue and Ill give you a tissue. Many music business executives have a similar attitudethey have little sympathy for the moral, business, or ethical issues faced by a band competing in the music business. The sole concern for most music industry companies is whether or not the band will make a lot of money. Therefore, bands should not expect much help (or sympathy) from their label, distributor, or booking agent when dealing with common problems. Even if your band can afford accountants, business managers, and lawyers to help you with problems, youll save considerable time and money by making your band as self-sufficient as possible.