Resources

We believe that an informed client is a satisfied client. We also believe in service to the arts and entertainment communities. Particularly given the current economic climate, we are pleased to provide links to copyright, music and other arts-related sites that contain a cornucopia of valuable free information. As indicated in his attorney bio, Marc Ostrow has held significant positions in several of the organizations listed below.

US Copyright Office www.copyright.gov

Register your songs, books, dramas, photographs, films, fashion designs and other creative works online. Read the various circulars and brochures on how to register particular types of works, research copyright office registrations and documents as well as other resources explaining various aspects of copyright.

US Patent & Trademark Office www.uspto.gov

Although it doesn’t take the place of having an attorney perform a comprehensive trademark search, one can do a preliminary search on the site to see if a name might be available for your band, product or service. This site also has basic information about trademarks, which offer different protections from copyrights.

CA is an organization of artists, educators, lawyers, companies, trade organizations involved in the creation and dissemination of all forms of copyrighted works, from music, publishing, film and TV, videogames, photography and software developers, which sponsors advocacy, education and research in support of intellectual property rights and free expression.

ArtsJournal www.artsjournal.com

UK-based Doug McLellan maintains this site and also publishes a daily newsletter covering all of the creative and performing arts.

Commercial Theater Institute www.commercialtheaterinstitute.com

So you want to be a producer? CTI is dedicated to training the next generation of commercial theatre producers, providing resources and guidance to individuals interested in the various paths one can take towards creating commercial productions for the stage.

Dramatists Guild of America www.dramatistsguild.com

Dean’s List – deankay1@deankay.com

Write Dean Kay, noted songwriter, publisher and ASCAP Board member, to subscribe to his free daily newsletter linking to articles on copyright and the music business.

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts www.vlany.org

VLA offers a variety of seminars to artists in all disciplines relating to issues affecting their work. Subject to their income and other requirements, they also offer free legal services. They also offer training for lawyers interested in working with artists.

The Copyright Society is primarily consists of legal practitioners and academics in the copyright bar. However, membership is open to anyone with an interest in copyright law and their luncheon seminars given at chapters throughout the country and semi-annual meetings provide much current information about developments in copyright law, which ultimately affect artists in all disciplines.

ASCAP www.ascap.com and BMI www.bmi.com

The web sites of the two major performing rights organizations contain a wealth of information about the music business, legislation and career advice for musicians. Search their databases for writer and publisher information on millions of musical works.

www.futureofmusic.org

FMC is a research, educational and advocacy group for musicians. FMC provides an important forum for discussion about issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law.

American Music Center www.amc.net

AMC’s members are composers in classical, jazz and other genres as well as publishers, attorneys and others in the music field. AMC offers grants to composers, contains a searchable database of thousands of works by American composers and features the online magazine NewMusicBox and the adventurous programming of Counterstream Radio.

Association of Independent Music Publishers www.aimp.org

You don’t have to be a music publisher to join. With chapters in NY and LA, AIMP has monthly panels on various music industry topics that are well attended by a variety of musicians, publishers, labels, attorneys and managers.

National Music Publishers Association www.nmpa.org

NMPA is the leading trade association in the US for music publishers, advocating on their behalf as well as on the behalf of songwriters before various federal legislative and administrative bodies. Their web site offers a variety of information about copyright, music publishing and legal issues relating to the music business.

Songwriter’s Guild of America www.songwritersguild.com

For more than 75 years, SGA has provided advocacy to songwriters, including lobbying Congress, assistance with music publishing and royalty issues and offering seminars and professional advice to songwriters.

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences< www.grammy.com

Voting Members of NARAS are the folks who vote on the Grammy Awards each year. NARAS has chapters throughout the country and offers its members discounts on a variety of goods and services.

Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs www.macnyc.com

MAC members are cabaret and jazz performers and club owners in New York. They offer their members seminars in various aspects of being a performing club musician in New York and discounts at many popular venues.