A partnership agreement or band agreement is an official and legal document that describes the ”rules” or provisions that all band members must follow throughout the band`s career and activities. One of the most important terms is who controls the rights to the band`s name and logo. There have been many cases throughout history where a band broke up and a member continued under the same name and therefore benefited from all the work of the band – you probably already know the Case Little River Band. In general, in a collaborative group where all members are equal contributors, rights are shared equally. Depending on where your group is geographically based, it`s likely that the law of your province or state governs partnerships, whether the partnership is made up of four people in a group or three people running a social media marketing business. If your band is not registered, it may be considered a partnership by law, depending on its location. The process may seem a bit boring or cumbersome, but that doesn`t mean it takes away the fun of making music together! Ultimately, your group chord will help you keep your experience harmoniously together and allow you to focus on the music instead of worrying about how to handle every little argument. Nina Noir, a San Francisco musician and member of the girls` queen tribute band The Killer Queens, admits it was quite uncomfortable at first to have ”the conversation” with her band. ”It was like, `Why so bad?` But every group is a company,” she says. ”Although it`s for fun and doesn`t look like normal work, taxes are paid and the money is invested. With an agreement, the group works better.
Will the following decisions be taken by majority, unanimity or otherwise? Does anyone have more votes than anyone else? What is the plan if a decision has to be made by majority but there is an even number of band members who can vote? Here are some questions your group should discuss. Blame me for talking about it. In the unfortunate case of the end of the band, certain issues must be included in the agreement to ensure the most harmonious and equitable resolution possible. Questions to consider include: Who will own the name, can it be reused and, of course, how will royalties be divided? I get a lot of emergency calls from musician clients all over the country. Often, when a member stops, threatens to sue, or simply refuses to let the other members continue as a group. But most bands don`t think about signing you until it`s too late. and he comes back to pursue them. However, Nina points out that the idea that a band is a business should not be allowed to ruin the creativity that comes from making music together. ”A lot of people are disappointed with legal contracts,” she says.
”It`s a necessary evil, but it doesn`t take anything away from being in the group.” In fact, you`ll likely save your friendships and professional relationships by getting everyone on the same page as soon as possible. What goods (such as instruments, assemblies and equipment) belong to individuals and what belongs to the group? By including a dispute resolution clause in your partnership agreement, you are establishing virtually an agreed upon process for any issues that may arise during your time as a band. In the event of a dispute, you can agree on a voting system or use an external mediator/arbitrator. The potential to make a lot of money and/or want to add or expel someone can end up killing your group if the unpleasant conversations about money haven`t been proactive. Don`t become a group horror story. Instead, have the conversation, focus on the music, and enjoy a successful career. When it comes to group revenue, there are many revenue streams they can benefit from, including live performances, merchandise, dubbing companies, sponsorships, record sales, streaming, and more. Each of these revenue streams must be distributed among band members and it is important to set the conditions for separation. For example, a member of the group may have participated in the design of the commodity and thus target a larger part of the profits.
I own a label and if I subcontract a band we founded, would a band contract still be necessary or is it for self-created independent bands? Thank you Hello I play in a band and I try to establish us as an LLC under a written contract. We have designed one and we would like to know how much it would cost to ask you to review and make recommendations? Without agreement between the members of your group, whether oral, written on a towel (is it still in progress?), texted or written by an entertainment lawyer (shameless plug), some key issues need to be negotiated at a time when perhaps not everyone is acting reasonably. Or you may have to rely on the law, which may not provide solutions tailored to your situation. If a member of the group decides to leave the group or is expelled from the group, he is legally entitled to the rights to the songs he has written/own and to the performance of musical works he has written outside the affairs of the group. However, the band must ensure that it includes a term that describes its decision on ownership of the band name for the departure of each member. Complications and disagreements will undoubtedly occur at some point in your group`s career, so an agreement will come in handy if you need to smooth things out. .