Get Started Musician: Music Contracts and Legal Documents for Artists and Producers

Music is one of the most contract-intensive areas of copyright law. Rights exist in layers — the composition (melody and lyrics) and the recording (master) are separate rights, each with their own ownership, licensing rules and collecting society relationships. Understanding what you own, what you are signing away, and what you are entitled to collect is essential for any working musician.

The Get Started Musician package covers the core contracts for musicians, artists, producers and labels operating in Italy and internationally, drafted and reviewed by DANDI lawyers specialising in Italian and European music law.

What the Package Covers

Recording Contracts

Exclusive phonogram recording contract — an agreement between an artist and a label granting the label the exclusive right to record and exploit the artist’s performances; covers advance, royalties, term, territory and reversion
Non-exclusive phonogram recording contract — a recording agreement without exclusivity, typically used for one-off projects, independent releases or licensing arrangements

Hire and Live Performance Contracts

Contract for hire of musician or backing singer — for phonogram production: engagement of session musicians and vocalists for studio recording; covers fee, rights and credits
Contract for hire of artist, musician or backing singer for live performance — engagement contract for live shows, tours and events
Recording contract for artist during live performance — authorisation for the recording of a live performance, with provisions for ownership and exploitation of the recording
Broadcasting contract for artist during live performance — authorisation for the broadcast or streaming of a live performance

Licensing and Distribution Contracts

Licensing contract for manufacturing and marketing of a phonogram — contract between the rights holder and a third party for the production and commercial distribution of a recording
Commercial phonogram distribution contract — distribution agreement for the physical or digital distribution of a recorded work
Contract between a lead artist and a producer authorising specific uses of a phonogram — targeted licence for specific uses of a master recording (sync, compilation, sampling, etc.)

Management Contract

Contract between a lead artist and a manager — artist management agreement covering commission, term, territory, exclusivity and obligations of both parties

Italian Music Law: What You Need to Know

In Italy, recording artists and session musicians have neighbouring rights managed through SIAE and SCF. These rights generate royalties from broadcasting, public performance and streaming that many artists do not claim because they are unaware of the registration process. Every contract in this package is drafted with Italian collecting society requirements in mind.

Who This Package Is For

Musicians and bands recording and releasing music independently or with a label
Session musicians and backing vocalists working in studio and live contexts
Producers and labels contracting artists for recordings and live performances
Artists and managers formalising their working relationship
International artists touring or recording in Italy, or working with Italian labels and producers

Get in Touch

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