THE MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

MuMG 3011: CONTRACTS AND LEGAL ISSUES FOR THE MUSIC BUSINESS

Instructor: Harvey Rachlin

SYLLABUS

Week

Topic

1

Introduction to music business contracts, review of the music business copyrights, record companies, recording artists, music publishers, songwriters, agents, personal managers, business managers, record producers, performing rights organizations, mechanical rights organizations

2

Songwriter-music publisher contract, advances, royalties

3

Performing rights organizations: writer and publisher membership forms, title registration of compositions, performance surveys of ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, methods of payments to songwriters and music publishers

4

Performing rights organizations: radio licenses, television licenses, Internet licenses, restaurant and nightclub licenses

5

Mechanical licenses, copyright law, compulsory license, Harry Fox Agency, statutory royalty rates, Copyright Office, registration of musical compositions and sound recordings, copyright forms, print music license agreements, synchronization licenses

6

Music publishing administration agreements, co-publishing agreements, foreign subpublishing agreements, Dramatists Guild musical show contract

7

Artist-personal manager contract

8

Recording artist-record company contract

9

Recording artist-record company contract

10

Record producer agreements, master purchase contracts, record company agreements with CD/tape clubs and other mail order firms

11

Record label distribution contracts

12

Right of privacy, right of publicity, defamation, libel, slander, piracy, bootlegging, counterfeiting

13

Union agreements, AFM, AFTRA, phonograph record labor agreements

14

Contemporary legal issues of the music business, Napster, MP3

15

Final Examination

SIMULATING THE MUSIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT:

Students who write songs, sing, play in bands or produce recordings are encouraged to perform in "A & R Sessions" for critique of talent by classmates with the objective that the student may hone his or her skills for the commercial marketplace. Also, role-plays are held for students in which various music business scenarios are acted out so students may acquire a practical knowledge of business situations and to sharpen their communications skills and confidence.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1.                  Attendance at all classes.

2.                  Completion of assignments on time.

3.                  Term Project

4.                  Final Exam

ASSIGNMENTS:

Weekly assignments using Billboard and other music industry publications, textbooks, trade books, and newspapers.

GRADING CRITERIA:

Midterm           25%

Final                  25%

Homework        25%

Attendance        25%

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Office: Music Room 30, Campus Ext. 6009

E-Mail: rachlinh@mville.edu

HOMEWORK POLICY:

·        All assigned homework must be ready for submission to the instructor on the date its due although collection will be at the discretion of the instructor.

·        No excuses will be accepted as provided by the college. That means excuses such as the following are not acceptable: broken printer, too much homework in other courses, excessive socializing.

·        Attendance is imperative, but if you are unable to be in class you should insert your homework in the instructor's second-floor mailbox in the Music Building no later than the day it is due.

·       Homework must comply with the format specified by the instructor. This includes noting the class number and date the assignment is due.

·        Homework not submitted on time or when the instructor collects homework will receive a zero. Late homework will not be accepted.