Join today

The Musician's Guide to
Copyright

Everything you need to know to survive the music industry.
Write your awesome label here.
What you are going to learn

This class is all about how bands (and any musical collaborators) work together.

In this class, we start with the most basic question: How do we define music? Once we have a definition, we start to look at how music is protected with copyright, ways that it isn't, and how to work with it for fun and profit. I'll walk you through every step of the issue and explain the logic behind every concept.

This series is pulled directly from the courses I've created for my university position in Music Business. All of these courses are designed for the everyday musician - amateur or professional - who has little or no knowledge on the topic, but wants to master it.

Here is a list of some of the questions we will answer:
  • Defining Music
  • Melody and Uniqueness
  • Originality
  • "Independent Creation"
  • Tangibility
  • Copyright at the Constitution
  • Rights We Get
  • Intellectual Property
  • Copyright Term
  • Public Domain
  • History of Copyright
  • Work For Hire
  • Assignments
  • Licensing
  • First Sale Doctrine
  • Film, TV, and Game Licensing
  • Collaboration
  • Fair Use
  • Parody
  • Trademarks
  • Performing Group Names (Band Names)
  • Titles (Song Titles)
  • Right of Publicity
  • Contractual Rights
  • Exclusivity
  • Right of Refusal
  • Moral Rights
  • Creative Commons
  • CopyLeft
  • And much, much more!

Dr. J. Anthony Allen

Music PhD, Producer, Composer, Instructor, Professor, Author, & Ableton Certified Trainer. 
About
Dr. Allen is a professional musician, top-rated online instructor, and university professor. In 2017 the Star Tribune featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes. He currently teaches at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN, Slam Academy, and Punkademic Courses.

Course reviews

I love that this is thorough but not overwhelming. The structure is great, the information and the walkthroughs are great and concepts that were hazy to me before make sense in this structure. Thanks for the class!
- Delaney Taylor
So grateful for this class! I feel ready to keep moving forward with my record, and I will get the most I can!
- Casey Reiniche