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 lifeclass 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. to 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.
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. The seminar will be held in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.