ESO Law Firm · Entertainment · Music
Own your masters.
Music Lawyer for Artists, Bands & Producers
ESO Law Firm was founded by a classically trained musician with credits on Grammy-nominated albums, an attorney who has been on your side of the studio glass. From your first single to your first label offer, we help artists, bands, songwriters, and producers nationwide understand what they’re signing and keep what they create.
How We Help Musicians
Music careers are built on paper as much as on talent. We draft, review, and negotiate the agreements that decide who owns your work and how you get paid:
- Recording agreements, indie and major label
- Music publishing, split sheets & co-writer agreements
- Producer agreements & beat licensing
- Sync licensing for film, TV & advertising
- Band partnership & member agreements
- Artist name & logo trademark registration
- Distribution & label services deals
- Management agreement review
Common Legal Issues for Musicians
Every song has two copyrights, the master recording and the underlying composition, and they are owned, licensed, and paid separately. Confusing the two is the most expensive mistake in music. We make sure your splits are documented before release, your producer agreements don’t quietly take what you think you own, and terms like recoupment, 360 rights, and options are explained in plain English before you sign.
Your artist name is a brand. Before you tour, sell merch, or build a following, a federal trademark registration protects the name you’re building, and a clearance search makes sure you’re not building on someone else’s.
Ready to protect your work?
Flat-fee counsel for musicians, bands, and producers nationwide, a clear quote upfront, and your contract reviewed before you sign.
Prefer ongoing counsel? Ask about the ESO Membership.
Music Law FAQ
Do I need a lawyer before signing a record deal?
Yes, before, not after. Term length, option periods, royalty rates, recoupment, and ownership of your masters are all negotiable until you sign, and almost impossible to fix afterward. A review costs a fraction of what one bad clause can cost over the life of a deal.
Who owns a song when several people write it together?
Unless you agree otherwise in writing, co-writers generally own the composition together, regardless of who contributed what. A simple split sheet signed before release states each writer’s percentage and prevents the most common dispute in music.
Should I trademark my artist or band name?
If you’re releasing music, touring, or selling merchandise commercially, yes. A federal registration with the USPTO protects your name nationwide and is the foundation for stopping copycats, and a clearance search first makes sure the name is truly yours to build on.