The indy record label is really becoming the funding partner for new acts.  These labels are many times manager, business manager, promotion head, tour manager, marketer and agent for the indy artist.  Participation in the career of the artist in a fair and transparent manner is the new model in the indy record world.  Our firm has worked with many labels and distributors to come up with fair agreements and distribution models for their clients.  Many times our firm will work with funding and finance partners during start-up and second-round funding.  We have also participated in master catalog sales from presentation, draft of the letter of intent, binding deal memo and longform closing stages.  Below are some examples of the work that the lawyers within the firm have done in this area:

–Structure and funding of the label with key employees, key artists and investors

–Key employee agreements

–Artist agreements

–Label management agreements

–Label placement and/or agent agreements

–Valuations of master catalogs

–Distribution agreements majors and established independents

–Contribute to artist roll-out strategies, marketing business and press plans

–Sales of label interest

–Wind-down of indies

–Bankruptcy strategies including purchases of catalogs through trustee’s and protection from artist bankruptcy strategies

–Audits of distributors