Archive for the ‘Liability’ Category

What Attorneys Won’t Tell You

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

By Brian Taylor Goldstein I recently attended an arts conference where there was a panel discussion on music contracts. An attorney said that artists don’t really need to read or review contracts because you can always declare them null and void later and get a new contract. Is this true? This is why 99% of […]

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Are We Liable For A Backstage Brawl?

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012

By Brian Taylor Goldstein Our stage manger slapped one of our actresses during a rehearsal. Are we liable? Anyone who understands the unique stresses and pressures of the performing arts should expect a certain degree of screaming, emotional meltdowns, tantrums, and other inappropriate behavior. Welcome to the theater. However, physical violence crosses the line and, […]

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Is That A Music License I Hear?

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

By Brian Taylor Goldstein Do we legally have to have a music license if we have bands performing in our Country Club at weddings, social events, etc.? Yes. Anytime music is publically performed, either live or by playing a recording through a sound system, a “performance license” is required. A “performance license” is a fee […]

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Is A Choral Group Required To Have Workman’s Compensation?

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear Law & Disorder: We have a non-profit choral group. Our of local public television stations has sent us a contract to record and broadcast one of our concerts this December and they have an item that requires us to have workman’s comp on our entire group. We currently only have 3 […]

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How Do I Protect My Personal Assets From Claims of Copyright Infringement?

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012

By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear FTM Arts Law: Could owning copyrights individually (as opposed to being owned by a corporate entity) ever be a personal liability?  I understand that if copyrights are held in the name of a S-corp, C-corp, or possibly LLC, the corporate veil would shield my personal assets. There is no liability in […]

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Am I Obligated To Accept Unsolicited Emails from Managers?

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear FTM Arts Law: I am the executive director of a well-established regional symphony orchestra. As with most orchestras, I frequently receive emails from managers and agents asking me to consider their artists. After a number of emails from the same manager all within the same week, I wrote and told […]

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