Copyright Law: Primary laws include Copyright Act of 1976, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018, and Sound Recording Act. These govern the protection and exploitation of musical works and sound recordings.
Labor Laws: Including Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), state-specific labor laws, and child labor laws for minor artists. These regulate working conditions, compensation, and protections for artists.
Contract Law: State-specific contract laws, Statute of Frauds requirements, and contract termination provisions that govern the formation, execution, and enforcement of the recording agreement.
Intellectual Property Laws: Encompasses trademark laws for artist branding, right of publicity laws, and patent laws for merchandise. These protect the artist's brand and related intellectual property.
Entertainment Industry Regulations: Specific regulations including California Labor Code ยง2855 (Seven-Year Rule) and state-specific entertainment industry regulations that govern artist contracts and industry practices.
Digital Distribution Laws: Including E-SIGN Act for electronic signatures, digital distribution rights, and streaming platform requirements that govern modern music distribution methods.
Union Requirements: Regulations from American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and SAG-AFTRA that establish minimum standards and protections for union members in the music industry.
Tax Laws: Internal Revenue Code provisions, state tax requirements, and international tax treaties that govern the taxation of income and royalties from musical works.
Privacy Laws: State privacy laws, federal privacy regulations, and GDPR (if operating in EU markets) that protect personal information and data privacy rights.
Competition Laws: Sherman Antitrust Act, Clayton Act, and state antitrust laws that prevent anti-competitive practices in the music industry and ensure fair market conditions.
