For now, we can rejoice. The Federal District Court in Los Angeles recently ruled that artists can, in some circumstances, terminate the transfers of copyright that they may have executed in favor of record labels or publishing companies some 35 years ago. As you may recall, I discussed Section 203 terminations of transfers here and […]
Should Songwriters Get Paid for Online Lyric Databases?
By John Seay, Atlanta Entertainment Lawyer: The Seay Firm LLC (@TheSeayFirmLLC) The following article was inspired by, and borrows from, a study by University of Georgia professor and musician (Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker), David Lowery. I’m notoriously awful with song lyrics. Even for some of my favorite songs, there’s that awkward moment when I’m singing […]
The Seay Firm at Birmingham’s Secret Stages
by John Seay, Atlanta Entertainment Lawyer: The Seay Firm LLC (@TheSeayFirmLLC) Last weekend I travelled to my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, to provide a free legal clinic to bands performing at the Secret Stages music festival. I’ve been a supporter of Secret Stages since its inception in 2011, but this year I was especially excited […]
How to Protect an Idea with a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA)
What is a Non-Disclosure Agreement and Do I Need One? Bob was sitting in the tub one day when EUREKA! the idea hit him like a ton of bubble bath: a reality show where celebrities sing popular radio tunes in the shower. Bob, perhaps not the most creative person in the world, is nevertheless enamored […]