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 SinghAs It Is / Barbara / Back to Basics / Band of SkullsBeyond Measure RecordsBluey /  Blow Monkeys / BLOND:ISHBrodieBurr Island / Bora UzerCannibal Hymns / Casper Walsh / Catching CairoCanty / Centreforce RadioClub Class Management / CMD/CTRL / Collateral / CongratulationsCR2 / Creation YouthChris Simmons / ChuckieDakka SkanksDanny ByrdDave Lee / DMY RecordsDemob Happy / Dirty Vegas Dream Wife / Dutch Criminal RecordDub PistolsEast17 / El Londo / Ellia JayaEmily MakisEmma NobleEvadneyFatboy Slim / Fat Tony / Fat Cat RecordsFlorrieFlowered Up / FlyingMojitoBrosFooRFreemasons / Freshly SqueezedGargantuan Music George Clinton / Ghost Copy Music / Gianluca VacchiGirls of the InternetGeorge DiazGoddessGok WanGoldieGreen Door Store / Hedara / Hollie CookHRVYHydrogen Dukebox / Ian Simmonds / Ichiko AobaIraina Mancini / Injazero RecordsIshmael Ensemble / Isle of JuraJalen NgondaJames Hype / James Hireth / Jazmine JohnsonJagz Kooner / JalapenoRecords / JammerJarki MonoJennifer Touch / Josh BakerKate Wild / Keely ForsythKhruangbin / Kings of the RollersKINGHKC LightsKilling JokeLast Man Records / Lack of AfroLeah WellerLeon Jean-Marie / The Levellers / Liberty Music PRLittle Barrie / Lout Promotions / Matt Berry / Matt Benson / Matt SassariMahoganyMarsh / MartaMalcolm CattoMax Music PublishingMeduzaMetalheadz / Malcolm CattoMichael Monroe / Mila Falls / Milo KorbenskiMind EnterprisesMorgan SeatreeMoulettes / Nathan Dawe / Nia WynNick Corbin Night Time StoriesNoah IngsNox Vahn OceanColour Scene / Ocean WisdomOlive Jones / Oli Howe OmarOrbitalOrchards / Ossie / OfficaPaul Harris / Parliament / Patrick MasonPaul Weller / Paranoid London / Penelope IslesPhats & Small Prinzhorn Dance School / Pola & Bryson / Poppy Wright / QbannaR&S RecordsRam RecordsRepublic of Music / Rob DavisRoland ClarkRose 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.