The Birthplace of Country Music Offers Seminar May 21
As the saying goes, “you can’t swing a banjo on State Street without hitting a musician.” Now the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is offering a life class for area musicians who are interested in learning more about the legal side of their careers. On Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. the BCM will present “Music Law for Musicians,” a seminar for musicians, music business professionals, or anyone interested in the legalities of the music business.
Ever wonder who owns the copyright to a song written and arranged by members of a performance group? How do you protect your band name? What provisions should be considered to ensure your band’s operations align with goals and expectations?
Justin Laughter, a business, intellectual property, and entertainment attorney with Threshold Counsel, PC in Richmond, Virginia, will lead the seminar consisting of three separate hour-long programs providing a crash course in the following:
- • Choosing and Protecting Your Band or Artist Stage Name
• Songwriting and Sound Recording Law 101
• Band Entities and Agreements
“This class offers first steps into understanding basic legal topics that any touring musician should know,” said Leah Ross, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music. “We have a huge community of touring artists right here in our region who could really benefit from this seminar.”
Attendees will gain essential background information into the legal areas relevant to their creative careers as well as practical advice to help them avoid common pitfalls. Laughter’s experience representing clients is wide-ranging, including business and nonprofit structuring and operations, copyright and trademark protection and enforcement, internet law, and private securities. He regularly counsels start-ups, makers, and other creative entrepreneurs.
The cost to attend the class is $25. Visit www.BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org to register. The seminar will be held in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
About Justin Laughter
Justin has been honored as a Virginia Super Lawyers-Rising Star in IP (2013-2016), part of Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite (2011, 2014) and as one of Richmond’s Top 40 under 40 by Style Weekly Magazine (2008). He is a 2003 graduate of the University of Virginia (Phi Beta Kappa) and a 2006 graduate of William and Mary Law School (Order of the Coif).
He is also active in the nonprofit, creative, and entertainment community. Justin is a Board Member of C3: The Creative Change Center, Board Member of JAMinc, Board Member of AMP! Metro Richmond, Board Member of OneVoice, Board Member of Gallery5 (museum, art, and performance), a member of Lawyers for the Arts, and a member of the Richmond CenterStage Associates Board. He is also the former Interim Executive Director of Virginians for the Arts, a statewide arts advocacy nonprofit organization. Further, Justin is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, known for its Grammy Awards. He routinely speaks to community audiences, law students, and professionals on legal topics.
Justin is Co-Founder of Educational Media Creations Company, LLC a.k.a. Silly Bus, an educational media company organized to help children feel confident, successful, and happy while learning foundational components of elementary education (see www.sillybus.net).