Copyright Act of 1976: Fundamental U.S. federal copyright law that governs the protection of creative works, including musical compositions and sound recordings
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): Federal law addressing digital copyright issues, including online music distribution and streaming
Music Modernization Act 2018: Updates music licensing legislation for the digital age, including streaming services and mechanical licensing
Fair Labor Standards Act: Federal law establishing wage, overtime, and labor standards that may apply to artist agreements
State Contract Laws: State-specific regulations governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation
Statute of Frauds: Legal requirement that certain contracts must be in writing to be enforceable
California Seven-Year Rule: California Labor Code Section 2855 limiting personal service contracts to seven years, particularly relevant in entertainment contracts
Sherman Antitrust Act: Federal law prohibiting monopolistic business practices in the music industry
Right of Publicity Laws: State laws protecting an individual's right to control and profit from commercial use of their name, image, and likeness
SAG-AFTRA Regulations: Union regulations that may affect recording artists who also perform in other media
Mechanical Licensing Regulations: Rules governing the licensing of musical compositions for reproduction and distribution
State Privacy Laws: State-specific regulations protecting personal information and privacy rights
Royalty Payment Regulations: Laws and regulations governing the calculation, reporting, and payment of royalties to artists
Independent Contractor Classification: Federal and state laws determining whether an artist should be classified as an independent contractor or employee
Trademark Laws: Federal and state laws protecting brands, logos, and other distinctive marks used in music marketing
