Atty. Rob Falk’s Band Tool Box

Throughout our entire career we’ve seen great careers derailed and many dollars lost  because miof sunderstandings that led to lawsuits. Even in the new music business – perhaps particularly in the new music busimess – this remains a threat that many musicians and even business people often ignore. Boston music attorney Rob Falk has created his own great 10 Item Band Tool Box

1. Formal Business Organization – Clear organization avoids trouble and can help managing taxes and other types of liability.  Who are you?
2. Intra Band Agreement – When it was just pure fun, you didn’t even need a handshake.
3. Song Writers’ Agreements – You need clear agreements before your group strides out of the garage. How do we keep George and Ringo happy?
4. Employee/Independent Contractor Agreements – Explicit agreements eliminate hassles and confusion early, perhaps lawsuits and worse later on.  Who is working for whom?  Just what is the job?
5. Performance Agreement and Rider – A simple performance agreement and rider help you to get what was promised at your gigs.  Unless of course you don’t mind always moving the drums and eating that green baloney  .  .  . 
6. Confidentiality Agreements – People love to talk.  If they work for the band, they shouldn’t be telling the world your secrets, now or ever.
7. Photographers’ Agreements – People love to take pictures.  Large numbers of photographs will be taken over time.  With proper agreements in place, you can maintain considerable control over these pictures and their use. You just saw yourself where?  On what??
8. Talent Releases – Properly written releases and agreements are important for recording sessions and the video shoot.  Everyone will want to be there, and you will be happy they are at your side.  Years later, you will be able to use that material, the terms will be clear, and you will not find yourself hunting desperately for clearance from a missing friend.
9. Copyright and Trademark Registration – You wrote it, you named it, and you own it.  Keep it that way.  Copyright and trademark filings can be tricky, but the protection they afford you is worth more than their weight in gold.
10. Archives – You are an artist.  As you succeed, your work becomes increasingly collectible.  You should have the best collection of all.  A well-organized archive allows you to make money, over and over again.

You can find more detailed information about all of this, and much more, at http://www.robfalklaw.com. Youc can also download a PDF of the Tool Box from the site