The Enterprising Musician's Legal Toolkit

The Enterprising Musician's Legal Toolkit is a guide for navigating the foundational decisions to effectively launch and successfully operate a creative enterprise. Using accessible language, the book demystifies business and legal jargon and empowers entrepreneurial musicians through step-by-step instructions. Expanding upon The Enterprising Musician's Guide to Performer Contracts, David R. Williams addresses: -For-profit legal structures including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations -Alternative business models such as nonprofit organizations and newer, hybrid structures (B Corps, L3Cs, and Social Purpose Corporations) -Compliance matters -How to protect your interests in artistic collaborations -Music licensing income streams -Copyright basics including steps for federal registration The book also contains annotated samples of commonly-used music industry contracts including independent contractor agreements, non-disclosure (confidentiality) agreements, commission agreements, releases, and more.
The Enterprising Musician's Legal Toolkit is a guide for navigating the foundational decisions to effectively launch and successfully operate a creative enterprise. Using accessible language, the book demystifies business and legal jargon and empowers entrepreneurial musicians through step-by-step instructions.
Appealing to artists' better angels--a desire to be creative, collaborative, and invent one-of-a-kind careers--David R. Williams lends a knowledgeable and comforting voice for helping musicians navigate the shifting landscape of the modern music industry. By asking questions that invite us to become more intentional in creating our brand, our business model, and our life's work, Williams' insights take on the familiar warmth of a parent's supportive guidance. Grab a copy. Consume it. And then get out there and invent your own best future.--Mark Rabideau, director, 21st-Century Musician Initiative, DePauw University
With clarity and precision, David Williams provides a comprehensive, well-structured, and easy to understand guide showing musicians what they need to know about the law, and how best to use it to support making their musical dreams come true.--Juliana Hall, art song composer