The Enterprising Musician's Legal Toolkit

by David R. Williams

Overview

The Enterprising Musician’s Legal Toolkit is a guide for navigating the foundational decisions to effectively launch and successfully operate a creative enterprise. Using accessible language, the book demystifies business and legal jargon and empowers entrepreneurial musicians through step-by-step instructions. Expanding upon The Enterprising Musician’s Guide to Performer Contracts, David R. Williams addresses:

• For-profit legal structures including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations
• Alternative business models such as nonprofit organizations and newer, hybrid structures (B Corps, L3Cs, and Social Purpose Corporations)
• Compliance matters
• How to protect your interests in artistic collaborations
• Music licensing income streams
• Copyright basics including steps for federal registration

The book also contains annotated samples of commonly-used music industry contracts including independent contractor agreements, non-disclosure (confidentiality) agreements, commission agreements, releases, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538135082
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	09/15/2020
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.06(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.89(d)

About the Author

David R. Williams, founding principal of Enterprising Artist Consulting, is a former professional musician with a doctorate in music and in law. An active guest lecturer, he has delivered talks on music industry law at Yale University, Tanglewood, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, among others. He is a faculty member at the College of Performing Arts at The New School in New York City. For more information, visit https://theenterprisingmusician.com/

Table of Contents

Part I: Getting Started

Chapter 1—Choosing the Business Structure That’s Right for You

Part II: Traditional For-Profit Legal Structures

Chapter 2—Sole Proprietorships
Chapter 3—Partnerships
Chapter 4—Limited Liability Companies
Chapter 5—Corporations

Part III: Nonprofit and Hybrid Legal Structures

Chapter 6—Nonprofit Organizations
Chapter 7—Hybrid Business Models

Part IV: Compliance Topics

Chapter 8—Startup Compliance
Chapter 9—Help Wanted: Employees or Independent Contractors?

Part V: Protecting Your Business and Protecting Yourself

Chapter 10—Collaborating with Others
Chapter 11—Understanding Copyright
Chapter 12—Music Licensing Basics
Chapter 13—Other Contracts Useful for Musicians

Appendix A: Business Structures Comparison Chart
Appendix B: Copyright Quiz Analysis
Appendix C: Quick Reference Music Licensing Chart

Editorial Reviews

With clarity and precision, David Williams provides a comprehensive, well-structured, and easy to understand guide showing musicians what they need to know about the law, and how best to use it to support making their musical dreams come true.

Juliana Hall

Appealing to artists' better angels—a desire to be creative, collaborative, and invent one-of-a-kind careers—David R. Williams lends a knowledgeable and comforting voice for helping musicians navigate the shifting landscape of the modern music industry. By asking questions that invite us to become more intentional in creating our brand, our business model, and our life's work, Williams' insights take on the familiar warmth of a parent's supportive guidance. Grab a copy. Consume it. And then get out there and invent your own best future.

Mark Rabideau