Be Smart: Learn the Laws of the Biz
During an interview with Eric Easter, Executive Director of Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, Easter expressed WALA's desire to impress upon artists their need to receive legal training as part of their training in their craft.
WALA is a non-profit corporation serving as the primary legal resource for the creative community in MD-Washington DC-VA. Legal Services, resolution services, as well as entertainment and arts education programs are provided for members. Easter said, in 2002, that there are approximately twenty similar organizations to WALA in the United States. He suggested seeking them through the state Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
Artists need to educate themselves and develop business savvy to protect themselves from persons who may not have their best interest at heart. "Don't wait until someone hands you a contract to sign," Easter strongly stated, "get a third party to look at it, not your manager or agent." Anyone who can directly profit from your contract is not the one to consult with. "Seek legal advice," he said.
Easter advised that if an artist has made a recording, the artist should know who owns the rights to the recording, where the master is stored, who has copies and where they are kept, and inquire about distribution and intellectual properties?
He stated simply, "most things that happen to artists happen legally. You (the artist) just need to educate yourself before you enter a meeting." The way it plays is "the one who has the most money and is best prepared with information," he frankly remarked, "succeeds in getting what they want.
"But remember," Eric Easter added, "your talent has power. So don't underestimate yourself." They obviously are interested in what you have to offer. Do your homework.
WALA is a non-profit corporation serving as the primary legal resource for the creative community in MD-Washington DC-VA. Legal Services, resolution services, as well as entertainment and arts education programs are provided for members. Easter said, in 2002, that there are approximately twenty similar organizations to WALA in the United States. He suggested seeking them through the state Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
Artists need to educate themselves and develop business savvy to protect themselves from persons who may not have their best interest at heart. "Don't wait until someone hands you a contract to sign," Easter strongly stated, "get a third party to look at it, not your manager or agent." Anyone who can directly profit from your contract is not the one to consult with. "Seek legal advice," he said.
Easter advised that if an artist has made a recording, the artist should know who owns the rights to the recording, where the master is stored, who has copies and where they are kept, and inquire about distribution and intellectual properties?
He stated simply, "most things that happen to artists happen legally. You (the artist) just need to educate yourself before you enter a meeting." The way it plays is "the one who has the most money and is best prepared with information," he frankly remarked, "succeeds in getting what they want.
"But remember," Eric Easter added, "your talent has power. So don't underestimate yourself." They obviously are interested in what you have to offer. Do your homework.
Posted by Peggy Weston at 9/8/2009 8:35 PM 
Categories: Protect Your Talent
Tags: Don't assume anything. Protect yourself.
Categories: Protect Your Talent
Tags: Don't assume anything. Protect yourself.
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You wrote this article?
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Yes. It is based on an interview with Mark.
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You are very welcome - so glad you are enjoying the blog. Let me know if there is a subject you would like to see covered, or have questions about singing.
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