12Legal issues and artist representation

This chapter provides an overview of some of the basic legal and copyright issues that are routinely found in agreements and negotiations surrounding copyright ownership, royalty distribution, and songwriter/artist representation. The authors strongly encourage the readers to seek the advice of an entertainment attorney when entering into any written agreement.

Limits and exceptions to copyright

Notwithstanding the breadth of U.S. copyright statutes, all copyrights, by law, eventually expire and the owner (or his heirs), therefore, would no longer retain exclusive rights to his works. And as a result of legal actions and revisions to the Copyright Act, there are also several statutory and legal limitations ...

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