Know the Game Before You Sign
The language in a music contract is built to be skimmed - and that's how artists give away masters, money, and control by accident. This handbook decodes it, in plain English, so you walk into the room already knowing the traps.
The Independent Artist's Music Law Handbook
All 13 topics, 81 services, ~31,000 words. Every contract term, copyright move, trademark, royalty stream, and dispute - decoded in plain English, with real-world examples. The whole game in one book.
— or grab just the topic you need, $19 each —
Contract Review & Negotiation
Your lawyer reads, redlines, and negotiates any agreement an artist is asked to sign, so they don't give away rights, money, or control by accident.
Custom Contract Drafting
Your lawyer builds the agreements you need from scratch, written for your specific situation rather than a generic online template.
Copyright Protection & Enforcement
Your lawyer secures legal ownership of your songs and recordings and goes after people who use them without permission.
Trademark & Brand Protection
Your lawyer locks down your artist or band name and logo so no one else can use it and you don't get sued for using it.
Publishing & Royalty Administration
Your lawyer makes sure every stream of money your songs generate is registered, collected, and actually paid to you in full.
Licensing & Sync Clearance
Your lawyer gets your music placed in media for money, and clears other people's music and samples you want to use legally.
Business Formation & Label Structure
Your lawyer sets up the legal entities and internal agreements that turn your music activity into a real, protected business.
Rights Recovery & Recapture
Your lawyer gets back rights and money you signed away years ago, using laws specifically designed to give creators a second chance.
Disputes, Demands & Litigation
Your lawyer steps in when something has gone wrong, with letters, negotiation, or court when needed.
Name, Image, Likeness & Publicity Rights
Your lawyer helps you control and monetize the commercial use of your identity, face, voice, and persona.
Live Performance, Touring & Booking
Your lawyer papers the deals and protects you around shows, tours, and live appearances.
Estate, Legacy & Catalog Succession
Your lawyer protects an artist's catalog and income for the people who come after them, before and after they pass.
General Counsel & Ongoing Advisory
Your lawyer is your on-call legal partner for the everyday questions and decisions that don't fit a single project.
Why It's Worth It
"'In perpetuity' means forever - that's a long time to give up ownership of your masters."
"An advance is usually recoupable - you pay it back out of your earnings before profit reaches you, so 'they offered me $20,000' can really mean 'I owe $20,000 before I see real money.'"
That's the language that costs artists their masters. The book translates every word of it - for less than a lawyer charges for ten minutes.
We'll connect you with a vetted music lawyer →
And to get your music heard, paid, and protected: Done Deal Digital →