resources
Legal Resources for Independent Musicians
Independent musicians often face legal challenges related to copyright, contracts, royalties, and intellectual property. Having access to legal resources can help protect your work, secure fair deals, and avoid exploitation.
Below are key free and affordable legal resources available to independent artists.
Free & Low-Cost Legal Aid for Musicians
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) – U.S. Based
- Provides free or low-cost legal assistance for musicians and artists.
- Covers copyright, contracts, licensing, and business structuring.
- Available in multiple states (e.g., New York, California, Massachusetts, Texas).
- Website: https://vlany.org (New York example, check for local chapters).
Music Managers Forum (MMF) – Global
- Offers legal contract templates and advice for independent musicians.
- Educates musicians on fair contracts and industry standards.
- Website: https://www.themmf.net
Future of Music Coalition (FMC) – U.S.
- Advocates for independent artists’ rights, including fair pay and streaming transparency.
- Provides legal guides on copyright, royalties, and streaming rights.
- Website: https://futureofmusic.org
California Lawyers for the Arts (CLA)
- Provides legal workshops and affordable consultations for musicians.
- Helps with contracts, copyrights, and entertainment law issues.
- Website: https://calawyersforthearts.org
Arts Law Centre of Australia (For Australian Musicians)
- Free and low-cost legal advice on contracts, copyright, and trademarks.
- Website: https://www.artslaw.com.au
Contract & Copyright Legal Tools
- U.S. Copyright Office
- Official site for registering your music for copyright protection.
- Website: https://www.copyright.gov
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)
- Helps songwriters collect mechanical royalties (streaming platforms).
- Website: https://www.themlc.com
SoundExchange
- Collects digital performance royalties for artists and labels.
- Website: https://www.soundexchange.com
YouTube Content ID & DMCA Takedown Resources
- Protects your music from unauthorized use online.
- YouTube Content ID: https://www.youtube.com/contentid
- DMCA Takedown Guide: https://www.dmca.com
Music Business & Legal Education
Ari’s Take (Ari Herstand)
- Independent music business blog covering contracts, rights, and royalties.
- Website: https://aristake.com
Music Business Worldwide
- Industry news and legal updates affecting independent artists.
- Website: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com
Creative Commons Licensing
- Learn how to legally license your music under flexible copyright terms.
- Website: https://creativecommons.org
Legal Assistance for Music Contracts & Deals
Legal Templates for Musicians
- Contract Templates for split sheets, licensing agreements, and performance contracts:
- Music Law Contracts – https://www.musiclawcontracts.com (Paid but affordable).
- Rocket Lawyer – https://www.rocketlawyer.com (Free trial available).
Entertainment Lawyers & Legal Consultations
- Freelance Lawyers: Use platforms like UpCounsel (https://www.upcounsel.com) to find affordable music lawyers.
- Music Attorneys Directory: Find legal experts at National Lawyers Guild (NLG) (https://www.nlg.org).
Steps to Take to Protect Your Work as an Independent Artist
- Register Your Copyrights & Royalties with PROs, SoundExchange, and The MLC.
- Use Free Legal Aid from Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts if you need help with contracts.
- Stay Educated by following music business blogs & legal workshops.
- Protect Your Music Online with DMCA takedown notices and Content ID systems.