How We Can Help You
Are you a musician who has issues with your label, music publisher or performing rights organization? Do you need help with a film scoring contract, a commissioning agreement or a collaboration agreement with co-writers? Do you need assistance with copyright terminations or trademark registrations? Do you need advice on how license music for film, TV, advertising, videogames, live performances or the Internet? Perhaps you have questions about what rights you need to get in order to put out a record, a video or to post copyrighted material on your web site.
Maybe you’re a litigator, a trusts and estates lawyer, a corporate lawyer, bankruptcy attorney or family law practitioner who has a matter requiring specific expertise in copyright or the music business. Perhaps you need help with determining the value of a music publishing or record label catalog. Or maybe you need guidance in assessing the potential recovery — or liability — for a copyright infringement claim.
We help composers, songwriters, record labels, music publishers, authors, artists and even lawyers in other fields when they have copyright or entertainment law issues. We negotiate a variety of music industry contracts, from artist, producer and music publishing deals, including “360 deals” to artist collaborations and composer commissioning agreements. We have a particular expertise in matters involving classical and jazz composers, artists, publishers, labels and presenters. We also provide advice relating to trademark, publicity rights and other intellectual property issues. We can also help mediate a resolution to your arts-related dispute.
Some of our recent clients include:
- a composer negotiating a film scoring agreement
- a composer’s heirs exercising termination rights under the Copyright Act
- an independent music publisher needing copyright advice relating to making works available online
- an attorney needing copyright expertise relating to an employment dispute
- an author seeking to publish a book on a popular computer software application
- a composer negotiating with the estate of a famous writer to use his poems in a song cycle
- a jazz musician’s estate seeking unpaid royalties from a major independent music publisher
- a boutique book publisher and agent involved in a trademark dispute with a major media company
- an independent music publisher needing form contracts with writers
- a pianist negotiating recording contracts for release of self-produced album
- an independent music publisher needing copyright advice relating to making works available online.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a situation similar to any of the ones above. We’re here to help.
Here are some comments about Marc’s work:
“I still can’t believe you managed to take that pile of old paperwork I sent you and turn it into the marvelous, magical sum….You are a real miracle worker!”
B.F., Widow of Jazz Composer
“Marc skillfully helped me navigate my first major publishing deal — his experience being on the other side of the table was invaluable, and he was able to get me the terms that I wanted. He was also very sensitive to my budget as an independent musician as well. Highly recommended!”
C.T., Two-time Grammy Award-Winning Composer
“Marc Ostrow was instrumental in successfully negotiating a difficult text clearance contract with an author’s agent. After several fruitless months of trying to do it on my own, he stepped in and quickly finalized an agreement that was fair for all parties. It was money well spent. I was particularly impressed with his communications skills: clear, assertive, but non-aggressive and easily understood.”
J.M., Composer
“Though your classes (and exams) were arduous and sometimes very difficult, they became the most rewarding classes in my college career. I have learned so much from you and I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to be your student.”
C.J., Student, Rider University
“Man, I couldn’t have done this [film scoring contract] without your awesome help.”
J.T., Composer
