CMLG

cornwall street chambers media law group

what we do

Recording Contracts

Management Agreements

Band Agreements - Partnerships

Distribution Agreements

Royalty Disputes

MCP/PRS Licence and Music

As a group, CMLG are able to provide advice and assistance

on a wide range of issues relating to media and

entertainment Law.

If you require advice on any matters that are not specifically

referred to on this page please contact Owain at

owain@cmlg.co.uk with any specific queries.

(Click the headers to the left for more information)

At CMLG we can offer advice and representation to the artist or

record company. In addition to drafting and advising on specific

contracts, we are able to represent our clients in negotiating the best

deal in the circumstances. We have a wealth of experience in this

field and can advise not just on the legal aspects but also on the

practical implications.

Recording Contracts

The purpose of a management agreement is to formalise the

relationship between the artist and the manager or management

company.

In our experience, agreements between a manager and an artist can

often be as individual as the artist themselves.

Our approach at CMLG is to work closely with the client to ensure any

agreement truly reflects the relationship and is legally sound.

Management Agreements

The working relationship within a band is a partnership and a band

agreement is therefore a partnership agreement.

In our experience it is important that the relationship between each

member of the band is set out in a formal agreement. This serves to

protect members’ rights and hopefully avoid misunderstandings and

disputes arising in the future.

Band Agreements - Partnerships

Distribution agreements incorporate the terms, conditions and

obligations between a distribution company and artist. These types of

agreement, known as ‘distribution deals’ can be particularly relevant

for acts who are planning to release an album on their own label. We

are able to advise our clients on both the structure of such an

agreement and its legal implications.

Distribution Agreements

Royalty disputes can arise when there is an issue between the artists

regarding each member’s contribution to a particular song or, on

occasion, between a record company and the act. In addition, issues

can arise with regard to royalty collection and ensuring a client has

received the proper amounts due to them.

At CMLG we have experience in resolving royalty issues and an

understanding of how the various collection agencies operate.

Royalty Disputes

Most authors are also members of a royalty collection agency such as

the Performing Rights Society. The intellectual property copyright in

their product is thereby assigned to the PRS for the purpose of

issuing licences for performance by other artists.

We have recent litigation experience in this area, which is generally

heard by the Copyright Tribunal.

MCP/PRS Licence and Music

Licensing Issues

At CMLG we can offer advice on all copyright-related issues. Our

experience has enabled us to provide our clients with a broad range

of guidance and support on issues ranging from copyright

assignments to licensing agreements. As well as advocacy, we are

also able to provide guidance, drafting and proof-reading prior to

publication. We are committed to working with our clients not only to

safeguard their material but to ensure that they get the best

opportunities for exposure.

For the protection of any brand a trademark is vital. We advise on

both trademark registration and protection and offer guidance on the

preservation of unregistered trademarks.

Trademarks

Design right law covers intellectual property rights. At CMLG we can

offer advice to clients in the creative industries on registered and

unregistered design rights, which ranges from protecting and

promoting design rights to taking action against a third party for

infringement.

Design Rights

With the recent expansion in the use of technology, licensing deals

and contracts have become an increasingly integral part of the

entertainment industry. Members of CMLG have specialist

knowledge in this area and frequently advise upon and negotiate such

licensing contracts.

Licensing

Privacy is a major topic in context of media law. In a number of

recent cases, individuals have won the right to prevent the publication

of information about their private lives and companies are becoming

increasingly aware of the steps they can take to protect their assets,

either under the media’s regulatory codes or through the law of

intellectual property. The law relating to confidential information has

been undergoing considerable review since the introduction of the

Human Rights Act 1998.

Privacy