OWN YOUR OWN RECORD LABEL
 by THE G-MAN, Immedia Wire Service
If that's a dream of yours, you can get all the information you need by
hiring Paul Menes of the Menes Law Corporation. Or you could have joined the artists and managers from 5 counties who packed the Music Connection Theater on Tuesday evening to hear Menes leading a
fact-packed seminar entitled "Starting and Operating an Independent Record Label."
 Part of the ongoing series called "Legal Tuesdays," the presentation was the third in the highly-informative programs staged by Leslie
Waller's Los Angeles Music Productions (LAMP).
Notepads were more than filled with the information provided by Menes. Topics ranged from contracts
("errors and omissions," "grant of rights," "ownership of masters," "right of publishing," "terms and limits," and more) to distribution ("brick
and mortar," "digital dissemination," etc.) to such practical considerations as the best ways to conduct name searches so artist and company monikers are truly available.
With numerous real-life examples as well as many delightfully low-key humorous asides, Menes' presentation was constructive in the extreme. From the eagerness of those of us
crowding around him at the conclusion of his generous Q & A session, it was evident he could have continued speaking far into the night.
While the daunting journey of forming your own label may still be a dream for many, the guidance and advice of people like Menes at least ensures that the path is well-illuminated.
The G-Man
Immedia Wire Service
immedia@pacbell.net |
