Expertly taking care of the law & the business of creativity.

Music

The record business is transitioning, reflecting how culture is both fragmenting and becoming homogenized. The artists who sustain it remain damaged by the disruptions caused by the pandemic and Brexit. The challenges facing the global economy, along with uncertainty about AI’s impact, are causing anxiety for many.  


However, thanks to the proliferation of niche scenes, certain areas of the business are booming. The landscape is opportune, but there are many pitfalls. It pays to have expert advice on your side. 


We are leading practitioners in the music business with a deep knowledge of its many facets. Our client base is an impressive array of artists, record labels, publishers, distributors, managers, studios, producers, festivals, promoters, agents and technology companies 


We have substantial experience in advising artists on how to protect and clear the rights in their musical output and to help them navigate the best route to market, whether that's in their dealings with major labels, independent record companies, or in the artist-direct sector via a label services deal.


The market is dominated by acquisitions. We expertly advise labels on company sales and assist artists on catalogue disposals, working in conjunction with specialist financial experts.  


Also, CL&B has a particular reputation in advising independent music businesses, including record labels looking to establish or metamorphose into 360-degree entertainment companies and to acquire a share of ancillary income, such as live, merch and sponsorship earnings.


Furthermore, because of his formidable knowledge and extensive contacts, Dean is a "go-to" person in dance music. We represent many global DJs and some of the World's leading electronic artists and record labels. 


We advise clients on investment deals, joint ventures, and music business disputes.


We tailor our services to our clients’ needs and budgets and provide them with reliable, efficient service


We advise on all aspects of legal and business affairs, including all types of deals. Our involvement will inevitably create commercial benefit for any transaction.


Services Include

Business Set-Up 
Recording agreements
Songwriting agreements
SSAs 
Management agreements
Licensing agreements
Production agreements
‘360’ deals
Investment schemes
Sync agent agreements
Label Deals
Featured vocalist agreements
Producer agreements
Compilation licensing
Domain names
Trade Marks
Getting out of deals
Music disputes
Sponsorship deals
Vocalist agreements 
Distribution agreements
Band agreements
T&Cs
Termination and settlement agreements 
Music business service agreements 
Aggregation agreements
Synchronisation agreements
Production library agreements
Performance agreements
Catalogue sales  
Crowd Funding
Agency agreements 
Sample clearance
Neighbouring rights deals
Joint Ventures
Merch deals 
Remix Agreements
Music disputes 
Investment Agreements
Ticketing agreements
Concert streaming agrements
Template precedents
Composer agreements
Music licensing and compliance
Band name disputes
Beats agreements
Film Music clearance
Public Domian advice

Music client base and associations include

 Acantha Lang / Altered Images / Andy C / Anger Music / Ashley Beedle / Ashley Singh / As It Is / Barbara / Back to Basics / Band of Skulls / Beyond Measure Records / Bluey /  Blow Monkeys / BLOND:ISH / Brodie / Burr Island / Bora Uzer / Cannibal Hymns / Casper Walsh / Catching Cairo / Canty / Centreforce Radio / Club Class Management / CMD/CTRL / Collateral / Congratulations / CR2 / Creation Youth / Chris Simmons / Chuckie / Dakka Skanks / Danny Byrd / Dave Lee / DMY Records / Demob Happy / Dirty Vegas / Dream Wife / Dutch Criminal Record / Dub Pistols / East17 / El Londo / Ellia Jaya / Emily Makis / Emma Noble / Evadney / Fatboy Slim / Fat Tony / Fat Cat Records / Florrie / Flowered Up / FlyingMojitoBros / FooR / Freemasons / Freshly Squeezed / Gargantuan Music / George Clinton / Ghost Copy Music / Gianluca Vacchi / Girls of the Internet / George Diaz / Goddess / Gok Wan / Goldie / Green Door Store / Hedara / Hollie Cook / HRVY / Hydrogen Dukebox / Ian Simmonds / Ichiko Aoba / Iraina Mancini / Injazero Records / Ishmael Ensemble / Isle of Jura / Jalen Ngonda / James Hype / James Hireth / Jazmine Johnson / Jagz Kooner / JalapenoRecords / Jammer / Jarki Mono / Jennifer Touch / Josh Baker / Kate Wild / Keely Forsyth / Khruangbin / Kings of the Rollers / KINGH / KC Lights / Killing Joke / Last Man Records / Lack of Afro / Leah Weller / Leon Jean-Marie / The Levellers / Liberty Music PR / Little Barrie / Lout Promotions / Matt Berry / Matt Benson / Matt Sassari / Mahogany / Marsh / Marta / Malcolm Catto / Max Music Publishing / Meduza / Metalheadz / Malcolm Catto / Michael Monroe / Mila Falls / Milo Korbenski / Mind Enterprises / Morgan Seatree / Moulettes / Nathan Dawe / Nia Wyn / Nick Corbin / Night Time Stories / Noah Ings / Nox Vahn / OceanColour Scene / Ocean Wisdom / Olive Jones / Oli Howe / Omar / Orbital / Orchards / Ossie / Offica / Paul Harris / Parliament / Patrick Mason / Paul Weller / Paranoid London / Penelope Isles / Phats & Small / Prinzhorn Dance School / Pola & Bryson / Poppy Wright / Qbanna / R&S Records / Ram Records / Republic of Music / Rob Davis / Roland Clark / Rose Elinor Dougall /

Nice things our clients say about us

Dean Marsh has worked with me since the start up of my management company. Dean goes beyond the duties of just legal.  His knowledge of the music industry and contact list are endless. Facing some of the toughest challenges musically, Dean has been at my side through all the Battles and all the greatest of Highs. My team here at Alphadog would be incomplete without Creative Law. Thanking Dean and his team for his on going services. They say there is no 'I' in team... I say there is no 'I' without Dean.