Rating: 
Summary: No Longer Stumbling Blindly
Review: A friend forwarded me a copy of Mr. Stim's book, and I am very happy that they did. My band is in the beginning stages of securing an independent record deal. I found that after reading the book, I was able to go into a meeting with the record company and know what questions to ask. I had some clue as to what they were talking about! I like that he included the forms and instructions on how to fill them out. It is a good basic reference book to help you figure out what to do and how to do it in a straight forward manner! Thanks Nolo! You've done it again!
Rating: 
Summary: Entertainment Business from a basic English understanding
Review: Approaching the music industry unarmed is similar to throwing a lame duck into a pool of festering sharks. It has the potential to be complete bloodshed all around. Whether a band trying to take the step from a basement experiment to the real world or a student considering the realm of entertainment as a career or a seasoned vet looking for that down-to-Earth interpretation of legalese, Music Law... can explain it all. From the standpoint of an educational tool, Music Law... acts as a great springboard into the complexities of the entertainment industry from more than a just a pure business and legal perspective. It approaches a series of complex industry issues with an ease of explanation which details nearly every issue that one would face in maintaining a music career. The finest quality of the Music Law... is the simplicity of the writing. Each chapter is broken down by subheads and cuts right to the meat-and-potatoes of issues everyone in the industry from a band, to a manager, to a label and beyond, has to face. The language is clear and concise, avoiding the convoluted language and overall wordiness business writing and legalese, while still explaining in detail the concepts at hand. Each real world example includes a simple, plain-English version of a contract or agreement to work in conjunction with the topic at hand, which is then dissected even further to define the points contract covers. By no means, however, should the scaled down versions of contracts and agreements in Music Law... be looked at as any more than a basic learning tool. There truly is no substitute for obtaining proper legal and business council or at least gaining a firmer understand of the subtitles of business writing and legal jargon. No simple turn of phrase carries the same weight as a properly worded and arranged contract and therefor the ideas presented in Music Law... should be treated as a guide to furthering your basic understanding of such wording rather than a substitute of such. The depth of the subjects Music Law... attempts to define and the breath of concepts it covers is stunning. From forming a band as a business entity, to touring and riders, to songwriting credits and royalty collection, to ownership issues and copyright and beyond, Music Law... takes more than a glancing look at it all in simple terms. Whether you are new to the entertainment business or an old hat looking at more simplistic detail Music Law... has the potential to be an invaluable resource to obtain a basic understanding of the business and legal aspects of the industry.
Rating:
Summary: Entertainment Business from a basic English understanding
Review: Approaching the music industry unarmed is similar to throwing a lame duck into a pool of festering sharks. It has the potential to be complete bloodshed all around. Whether a band trying to take the step from a basement experiment to the real world or a student considering the realm of entertainment as a career or a seasoned vet looking for that down-to-Earth interpretation of legalese, Music Law... can explain it all. From the standpoint of an educational tool, Music Law... acts as a great springboard into the complexities of the entertainment industry from more than a just a pure business and legal perspective. It approaches a series of complex industry issues with an ease of explanation which details nearly every issue that one would face in maintaining a music career. The finest quality of the Music Law... is the simplicity of the writing. Each chapter is broken down by subheads and cuts right to the meat-and-potatoes of issues everyone in the industry from a band, to a manager, to a label and beyond, has to face. The language is clear and concise, avoiding the convoluted language and overall wordiness business writing and legalese, while still explaining in detail the concepts at hand. Each real world example includes a simple, plain-English version of a contract or agreement to work in conjunction with the topic at hand, which is then dissected even further to define the points contract covers. By no means, however, should the scaled down versions of contracts and agreements in Music Law... be looked at as any more than a basic learning tool. There truly is no substitute for obtaining proper legal and business council or at least gaining a firmer understand of the subtitles of business writing and legal jargon. No simple turn of phrase carries the same weight as a properly worded and arranged contract and therefor the ideas presented in Music Law... should be treated as a guide to furthering your basic understanding of such wording rather than a substitute of such. The depth of the subjects Music Law... attempts to define and the breath of concepts it covers is stunning. From forming a band as a business entity, to touring and riders, to songwriting credits and royalty collection, to ownership issues and copyright and beyond, Music Law... takes more than a glancing look at it all in simple terms. Whether you are new to the entertainment business or an old hat looking at more simplistic detail Music Law... has the potential to be an invaluable resource to obtain a basic understanding of the business and legal aspects of the industry.
Rating:
Summary: The most practical of the "how-to" music business books.
Review: I have read most of the books which attempt to explain music business law and practice to musicians, and this one is by far the MOST PRACTICAL and the MOST USEFUL. It is very clearly written by a lawyer who also teaches law and who formerly played in several "signed" bands. The book contains good explanations of music publishing and the record business, and you will want to read them even if you are intending to hire a lawyer. If you can't afford a lawyer yet, it provides actual documents (copyright registration forms, label-shopping agreements, etc.) on CD-ROM that you can tailor to your band's needs and use to get started. If you only plan to buy one book about "this business of music", THIS IS THE ONE TO GET.
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent Nolo Press title
Review: In a similar vein to Mose Avalon's "Confessions Of A Record Producer," copyright attorney Richard Stim's "Music Law" -- published by the ever-egalitarian, uber-do-it-yourself Nolo Press -- helps musicians keep a level head and navigate the treacherous shoals of the music industry. The book is packed with clear-headed analyses of various potential pitfalls, pre-printed sample contracts, examples of marketing and website strategies, and even sample agreements to write up between the bandmembers themselves (in sort of a creative prenuptual contract; it's not only record execs and shady management that can derail your musicmaking...) The book is amply informative, well structured and even-handed; also included is a CD-ROM from which you can print out sample contracts and other forms... Plus, no less than Mose Avalon himself lauds the book as a helpful tool... high praise indeed!
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent Nolo Press title
Review: In a similar vein to Mose Avalon's >Confessions Of A Record Producer," copyright attorney Richard Stim's "Music Law" -- published by the ever-egalitarian, uber-do-it-yourself Nolo Press -- helps musicians keep a level head and navigate the treacherous shoals of the music industry. The book is packed with clear-headed analyses of various potential pitfalls, pre-printed sample contracts, examples of marketing and website strategies, and even sample agreements to write up between the bandmembers themselves (in sort of a creative prenuptual contract; it's not only record execs and shady management that can derail your musicmaking...) The book is amply informative, well structured and even-handed; also included is a CD-ROM from which you can print out sample contracts and other forms... Plus, no less that Mose Avalon himself lauds the book as a helpful tool... high praise indeed!
Rating: 
Summary: "Every Band's Business Bible"--Independent Publisher
Review: Music isn't just an art form, it's a business. Fortunately, for bands who love the art of their job, but sing the blues when it comes to the business, there's Music Law. Composed by musician and lawyer Richard Stim, the book explains how to book performances, choose a name and protect its use, copyright song lyrics, establish legal ownership of songs, sample legally, sign contracts, write a band partnership agreement and more. The best guide available for bands today, Music Law provides all the legal information and practical advice musicians need to keep from getting burned. All legal forms and agreements included, as tear-outs and on disk. "Well organized, practically deisgned and clearly written, the book has one tiny fault. It should have been called 'Every Band's Business Bible'. It's that good. And that necessary."--Independent Publisher "One of the best books I've seen that addresses all of the issues that face a band today, in addition to those of the individual musician. Unlike most lawyers, Richard's writing is clear and concise and he provides the reader with a wealth of information and all of the necessary contracts that will effectively protect today's up and coming bands. This book is a must for anyone that is in a band--from the novice in a garage band to the professional."--Todd M. Gascon, Esq., Lawyer Referral Services Coordinator, California Lawyers for the Arts "Stim's book is a godsend to anyone in a rock and roll band. I wish I had read it ten years ago -- it would have saved me a lot of aggravation."--Dean Wareham, singer and guitarist for LUNA
Rating:
Summary: GOOD BOOK FOR YOUR COLLECTION
Review: Over the years there have been many books written by attorneys as vanity projects or publicity tools. Many of those books fade into oblivion only to be marched out or talked about by the attorney at a speaking engagement. This is not one of those books. In fact, this book answers the majority of questions that a new or marginally experienced music artist would typically ask an attorney. It's formatted in a logical, easy to follow sequence and categorized by topic. A must have for quick and easy reference.
Rating:
Summary: A must for all Musicians and Managers
Review: This book is a must for all involved in the business of Music. It gives an indept look at all the contracts you are likely to come across and explaines what to do and what not to do. As an up and coming manager I found this book fasinating. this book will always be on my desk and will be read over and over again. It is a great reference book and is a little(quite Big actually)Gem.
Rating:
Summary: As important your guitar!
Review: This book is a MUST for every musician. You've got your guitar, your amp, now you need this book! Extremely readable-- answers all your questions and more. Practical advice on how to keep everyone in the band happy and avoid misunderstandings.
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