Music & Recording Rights

The music industry involves far more than creating and performing music.

Artists, songwriters, producers, record labels, publishers, brands and entertainment businesses all need to navigate contracts, copyright, licensing, royalties and commercial arrangements.

At EL Creative Counsel, we provide practical, commercially focused legal advice across the music and recording industry. Whether you are creating music, recording an album, licensing a song, entering into a publishing arrangement or negotiating rights for commercial use, we help you understand what you are agreeing to and protect the rights that matter.

We can assist with:

Music contracts
Artist agreements
Recording agreements
Producer agreements
Songwriter and composer agreements
Music publishing agreements
Record label agreements
Music licensing
Synchronisation licences
Master use licences
Performance rights
Music royalties
Co-writing and collaboration agreements
Music production agreements
Music rights clearances
Commercial use of music

Recording & production agreements

Recording music can involve multiple contributors, including artists, producers, songwriters, musicians, engineers and other creative professionals.

Clear agreements can help establish who owns the resulting recordings, how the music can be used, who receives royalties and what happens if the recording is commercially released.

We help clients structure agreements that reflect the commercial realities of music production while clearly establishing ownership, rights and obligations.

Music publishing & songwriting

Songwriting and publishing arrangements can create valuable rights that continue long after a song is written or recorded.

We advise on arrangements involving songwriting, co-writing, publishing, administration, licensing and commercial exploitation of musical works.

Music licensing & synchronisation

Music used in film, television, advertising, digital content, games and other media can involve multiple layers of rights.

A synchronisation licence may be required for the musical composition, while separate rights may apply to the specific sound recording.

We help clients understand these rights and structure appropriate licensing arrangements.

Royalties & commercial rights

Royalty arrangements can become complex where multiple contributors or rights holders are involved.

We can assist with agreements covering royalty percentages, revenue definitions, payment obligations, reporting, deductions, audit rights and other commercial terms.

Protect the music, understand the rights and make sure the commercial arrangements work from the beginning.

Have a music agreement to review or a project that needs the right legal framework?

Talk to Emma or the EL Creative Counsel team. Book a call today.