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Scandalous Trademarks in Canada – Fuct or Not?
The US Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional on June 24, 2019, a federal prohibition on the registration of immoral or scandalous trademarks. The trademark in question was FUCT, a popular clothing brand out of Southern California with roots in skateboard…
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The Truth About Blockchains in the Music Industry
Blockchains are a new, exciting, mysterious, transformational technology – surrounded by a lot of hype. Being a lawyer, I viewed this as a challenge. I wanted to investigate. I wanted to cut through the hype and at the same time contribute…
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Nothing “Blurred” About Recent Led Zeppelin Decision
Thankfully the jury in the United States District Court, Central District of California got it right in the Michael Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin, et al case decided June 23, 2016. There were no “Blurred Lines” this time, like in the…
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Music Recording Contracts – Eight Rules by William Genereux
I’m a lawyer who writes music recording contracts and litigates breaches of recording contracts in court. I have a perspective on things that are needed yet are often poorly addressed in these types of agreements. These things can be pivotal in negotiating a smart business relationship and winning disputes. There is no closed list. Here’s some of what I look for in music contracts and in the business relationships behind them.
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Music Streaming Services Could Save the Music Industry – If They’re Lousy Enough
In an effort to get as many subscribers as possible, whether to dominate in terms of market share or to provide an early exit-strategy for insiders, the streaming music services have been gambling with their own sustainability as well as the industry’s because without enough revenue the industry will continue to collapse.
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Marc Bolan – Reclaiming a Glam Rock Legacy
As with many top-selling music artists, Marc Bolan had a team of professionals making decisions for him. When he died prematurely, his team was left with inadequate instructions that most likely did not reflect his wishes. Rolan is still trying to untangle the remainder of the financial mess that was left behind after his father’s untimely death.
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Youth Soldiers in a Rap War
Depending on how you look at it, Chicago rapper Chief Keef, age 17, recently signed to a $6 million deal with Interscope Records (UMG) is a folk hero, another dumb kid, an opportunist, or a willing victim. He is a youth soldier in a rap war that rewards very few with immense profits, and leave most everyone else to deal with the collateral damage.
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“Scope Shift” in Game App Development Agreements
With software and game development agreements, it is to be expected that the scope of the deliverables will shift as the work progresses. The terms and conditions of the agreement should reflect that reality.
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Tupac Shakur Hologram at Coachella
Incorporating a deceased superstar into a live performance is more complicated than simply knowing whom to contact to clear the various rights, particularly if you are messing with that superstar’s image.
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License Your Soul to the Devil (Rather than selling)
The more things change in the music business, the more they stay the same. That holds true for record deals and music licensing. Nowadays, instead of selling your soul to the devil, you can license it.
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