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Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 2
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 2 |
Hello. I am hoping to get a basic step by step process figured out for establishing artist status and protecting my music. This would be a solo act not a band situation. Questions I have are:
Should I come up with a band name as a solo act or just go by my name?
Can I trademark my personal name or only a stage/band name?
Can I Copyright rough versions of songs or should I wait until final mix and do it all at once.
(Should I Copyright/trademark directly through uspto or through a third party) and should I do all of that before uploading music/distribution?
What streaming/distribution platform is best for everything if I want to do covers, streaming, physical CD's/records, sync license, mechanical license? What is the process to obtain ID codes for songs and for trying to place music out there in film, etc.? How to legally cover to put on YouTube/ socials. I am leaning towards landr.
How do I protect my work if I send it to someone to master prior to copyrighting?
What happens if I put my music out there and then learn that a song might sound like someone else's and I wasn't aware at the time of writing my music?
How do I do covers legally?
If a song, for example, a holiday song is in the public domain, can I cover it, copyright my own version, etc.?
Do I need to do ascap/bmi and how? Should I make up my own label to affiliate with one of these?
If I generate an AI pic from a free art generator, can I use that for cover art?
What I am hoping to do is obtain a simple step by step guide with specific instructions/ links. A cliff notes sort of situation. How to establish all of these things from ground zero. From the finalized songs in the basement to fully out there legally speaking. I have watched endless videos on these processes, but I am old school and just need the nuts and bolts in simplest form. Thanks for any info.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,971
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,971 |
No one can write a one page reply that answers all your questions. it would take me many hours and be way too long to get through. Add to that, you are looking for legal advice which no one should be touching online anyway. Instead, I will recommend that you check out All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Eleventh Edition Kindle Edition by Donald S. Passman, a well known entertainment attorney. Being published mid-2023, it is the most up to date book on the subject I know. The Kindle Edition lets you start reading right after you buy it.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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Joined: Aug 2024
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Thank you so much I'll check it out!
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,456
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,456 |
I agree with Mike’s reply.
All your questions except perhaps one are common and you’ll find lots of advice, but nothing beats an attorney versed in entertainment law.
The question I haven’t read anything about, yet, is the AI generated art. I’m sure there are answers out there, but they might not yet be included in a book about the music business.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,727
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,727 |
That is a lot of questions that cover a lot of musical ground.
But... I have a question for you. Are you just getting started?
A lot of the questions you ask seem to indicate that you don't really know very much about the music business due to the nature and topics you're asking about.
So to answer most of your questions.... As a beginner , none of those things are things you need to worry about at this point. Just work on the music. If it's writing, performing, or both, just work on that.
In the meantime, do your research and study. That book Mike recommended is a great starting point.
Hope this helps you find your path
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,971 |
The question I haven’t read anything about, yet, is the AI generated art. Yep. If Don had a site where we could go and keep up to date, I'd be there and wouldn't mind if it was Subscription. In general, the only real news on the AI generated (anything) front is that the Librarian of Congress declared that AI cannot be Copyrighted—gotta be created by a person. This actually has a long line of precedent concerning mechanically generated content, especially art (mechanical random number generators are over 100 years old). In many ways, there is nothing new here except that part about how good much of it is. Her principles are sound and Congress plus the EU are trying to work out legislation, treaties and the whatnot. Anyway, her decision allowed the Writers' strike to be settled. If AI content cannot be copyrighted, them producers cannot raise money to produce movies based on that. Oh... This allowed the Actors to get their own settlements and so on. While it may look like the tail is wagging the dog, these were important because without practical examples, the concepts were meaningless. I have taken a course on how to navigate those waters and found it most informative.
BIAB 2025 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
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