What Is The Book About?

ArtistPro Publishing marks the release of its first title published under the new ProMusic Press imprint with David J. Moser, Esq.'s expansive work on music copyright law.

“Music Copyright for the New Millennium is a valuable guide to copyright law as it applies to the music industry. It is a vital resource for anyone contemplating or pursuing a career in this exciting and ever-changing industry.” Mike Curb, President, Curb Records, Inc.

The 21st century promises to be the greatest period of growth in musical expression the world has ever known, as new technologies have made it easier and less costly to produce and distribute creative works on a worldwide basis. Copyright law and the ownership of intellectual property will continue to be the lifeblood of the music industry and the source from which the income of musicians will be derived. Music Copyright For The New Millennium gives readers a thorough explanation of copyright law as it applies specifically to music.

In an easy-to-understand style, Music Copyright For The New Millennium provides explanations of the relevant provisions of U.S. copyright law and demonstrates how they are used in the music industry. The book also discusses many of the current controversial issues involving the uses of copyrighted works online such as digital downloading, audio streaming, Napster, MP3.com, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and record companies attempts to protect copyrighted sound recordings through encryption.

Music Copyright For The New Millennium ($39.98), 188 pages, 81/2 by 11, paperback, ISBN: 1-931140-16-2 is available at bookstores or from ProMusic Press, a division of artistpro.com, Consumers can order the book online at www.artistpro.com or call toll free (866) MIX-BOOKS (649-2665). You can also order online from Amazon.com.

Who Is The Book For?

• Lawyers - - Whether you are an entertainment/intellectual property attorney or not, Music Copyright For The New Millennium provides a clear and concise explanation of the law of copyright which should serve as a useful reference not only to you, but your clients involved in the music, entertainment and Internet industries.
• Law Professors - Although not a casebook, Music Copyright For The New Millennium may be suitable as supplemental reading for law school courses in intellectual property and entertainment law. The book contains many references to copyright cases and hypothetical examples which may be a useful addition to your course.
• Music Business Professors - If you teach courses in copyright or entertainment law in an undergraduate music business program, Music Copyright For The New Millennium may provide an ideal text. It was written with this goal in mind when I started teaching copyright law classes in the Recording Industry program at Middle Tennessee State University and later at Belmont University since there were no books available that covered copyright law in a reasonably easy to understand manner and that specifically discussed copyright law's applicability to the music industry.
• Musicians and Songwriters - If you create music or work in any aspect of the music industry, a basic understanding of copyright is essential since it governs the ownership of songs and sound recordings which are the main assets of the music industry.
• Record Companies, Record Producers, Music Publishers, Artist Managers

Some Universities & Law Schools That Have Used Music Copyright For The New Millennium As A Text

• Belmont University
• Delgado Community College (New Orleans)
• Fordham University Law School
• Loyola New Orleans
• Millikin University
• New York University
• Northeastern University
• University of California Santa Barbara
• University of Memphis
• University of North Alabama
• University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
• UCLA Extension

About The Author

David Moser is an attorney with over 10 years of experience in intellectual property and entertainment law. He primarily represents individuals and companies involved in the music and entertainment industries including recording artists, songwriters, record companies, music publishers, artist managers, producers and Internet businesses. Moser is also a professor at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. He teaches courses in Intellectual Property Law, Legal Issues in the Music Industry and Music Publishing and Business Law.

Moser is a member of the Recording Academy, the Copyright Society of the United States, the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators' Association, the American Bar Association (Section on Intellectual Property Law & Section on Entertainment Law), the Tennessee Bar Association and the Nashville Bar Association. Moser has written numerous articles pertaining to intellectual property and entertainment law which have been published in publications such as Billboard, Entertainment Law & Finance, Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook. He is also a recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award to visit the Philippines and conduct research on piracy of music, movies and computer software.

Moser is a frequent guest speaker and panelist at music industry and legal education seminars sponsored by organizations such as the Songwriters Guild of America, the Recording Academy and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Please note that certification as an Entertainment Law Specialist or as a Copyright and Trademark Law Specialist is not currently available in Tennessee.

What Music Industry Pros Are Saying About The Book

"An up-to-date and vastly informative handbook on current music copyright law, with needed attention paid to issues germane to the age of MP3, Napster and the Internet. The text is rife with excellent examples concerning copyright infringement, authorship/ownership, registration, fair use, piracy, performance rights, etc." Martin Brady, Nashville Scene

"Of note is Moser's use of case study material to illustrate points. He has done a fine job of making the arcane matter of copyright law understandable for the legal layperson." Robert Garfrerick, Entertainment Industry Center, University of North Alabama 

""This work will help fill the void for a textbook in music copyright law classes for undergraduate and graduate music industry programs as well as law schools. In addition, practicing entertainment attorneys and music industry executives will find this a valuable resource." Dr. Richard Barnet, Professor of Recording Industry, Middle Tennessee State University

"In depth reading, great book for classroom use or for anyone involved in the music industry." Rush Hicks, Entertainment Attorney

"In recent years the U.S. Copyright laws have been criticized for becoming as difficult to understand as the tax code. David Moser presents these complex rules in a straightforward practical delivery." Richard D. Rose, Former Vice President, Legal Affairs & Business Development, Copyright.net

"Students will appreciate a straightforward approach that doesn’t assume a law student’s sensitivities. Professor Edward Samuels, New York Law School

Table of Contents

Chapter Excerpts

Coming Soon