Useful Links
United States Copyright Office
This is where you go to register and to search for copyrights. Start HERE for information about and the necessary forms to use in registering your copyrightable material.
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Click the link for the USPTO's "Basic Facts About Trademarks" page. Here, you will find many of your questions answered about federal trademark registration in the USA.
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman, Esq.
THE authoritative music business reference book, a vital necessity for anyone who works in the music industry. Written by Don Passman, Esq. one of the most respected and well-known music attorneys (REM, Janet Jackson, Etc. . .) , this book is a daily reference source for musicians, executives, and attorneys. We highly recommend this book. Buy it by clicking on the image of the book's cover.
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California Secretary of State -- Business Portal
Information about California Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and other business entities.
The US Supreme Court's "Grokster" Decision
Holding that "One who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to foster infringement, going beyond mere distribution with knowledge of third-party action, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties using the device, regardless of the devices lawful uses," the Supreme court states that peer to peer network software such as GROKSTER (and likewise KAZAA, etc. . ) can be held liable for copyright infringement.
Beverly Hills Bar Association
With over 3,500 members, the Beverly Hills Bar Association boasts the largest ENTERTAINMENT LAW SECTION in the USA, focusing on business and legal issues pertinent to the entertainment industry, including film, television, and music law. Our first advice to people seeking to break into entertainment law is to JOIN the Beverly Hills Bar Association.
State Bar of California
The governmental body of the state of California in charge of regulating attorneys. Membership in the State Bar of California affords attorneys the right and privilege of practicing law in this state. The bar's integrated network of functions and services many of them mandated by law protects the public and assists attorneys in meeting their professional obligations.
TheSmokingGun.Com
Maintained by Court TV, this is the "National Enquirer" for suit dweebs and non-attorneys alike. Here you will find interesting legal documents (for example, Jay-Z's ANSWER to R. Kelly's lawsuit, wherein Jay-Z calls R. Kelly a "crying little B*tch") . Check out the "Backstage Pass" section for artists' contract riders setting out their requirements when they make personal appearances -- from diva demands (Jennifer Lopez requiring white lillies in her dressing room when appearing for a benefit video shoot), to the hilarious rider by the FOO FIGHTERS (with an express proscription against the "ol 'resume on a rope' as a backstage pass). You gotta love the Foo Fighters.
REGGAE RISING FESTIVAL
From the ashes of Reggae On The River, unquestionably the world's greatest music event in human history, comes Reggae Rising. The original, often imitated, never duplicated. Internationally acclaimed as three days of "the best Reggae and World music experience to be found." An annual pilgrimage for thousands each year to reconnect spiritually with friends, groove to the superb musical offerings and relax in the beautiful natural environment of the concert site. Located in Northern California along the Eel River, at French's Camp in Piercy, California. Approximately 200 miles North of San Francisco, 75 miles South of Eureka.
Maximum Respect to People Productions, Carol, Jeanne et. al. for for managing to organize a life-changing event for thousands of people, on an annual basis.
Hits Daily Double
Hits Magazine's online bulletin -- Music business related news stories break here first. Check out the "Rumors" section.
The Harry Fox Agency's Mechanical Licensing page
The Harry Fox Agency is where you go to obtain permission (aka a "mechanical license") to do a "cover version" of most songs. This page contains useful information about mechanical licensing from the Harry Fox Agency, the premier music industry resource for mechanical licensing and for the licensing of new configurations.
Slab Media Web Design
This is the website for the designers of TuneLaw.Com. We love their work, and they are good folks too. They are immediately responsive to our requests, no matter how dopey they may be, and they turn things around fast. Most of all, they made it so amazingly easy for us to have a site that we must extend to them our maximum gratitude and respect. Big ups to Jim and Catherine -- 100% TuneLaw certified and approved.
Star Wars Databank -- Darth Vader
Even though he's a bit of a flunky because he turned to the Dark Side mostly because he couldn't control his insecurities with the opposite sex, we think Darth Vader is nevertheless cool enough to deserve a spot in our "Useful Links" page.
Strummer Telecaster Guitar Based on Legendary Clash Leaders Famous DIY Instrument
Fender guitars, in collaboration with the most awesome Shepard Fairey (and the Joe Strummer estate) has manufactured the "Strummer Telecaster Guitar Based on Legendary Clash Leaders Famous DIY Instrument". File this under "holy sh*t COOL !!".
Hot Chicks With Douchebags
Living in L.A., one encounters a plethora of douchebaginess when going out, involving mostly confused transplants trying to be "L.A.," wholly unaware of what ass-clowns they actually are. This website is the MECCA-cum-repository of this all-too-evident douchebaggery -- described in the way we all wish we could, but just never could find the right words for -- with great wit (by the very articulate DB1 himself aka "Douchebag1"), and remarkable vocubulatorious inventiveness to describe the cornucopia of douche-melange he so eloquently writes about (i.e. "fratchoad", "chinpubes", and endless variations on the word "scrote", etc. . . ). This site is always hysterical, and makes you thankful someone is documenting all this douchebagiosity-essness; Thank you great DB1 for making the Internet finally useful, broheim.
www.dlisted.com
OK so admittedly we allow mindlessness to take over sometimes. For such occasions, this is THE celebrity gossip. . . err . . . COMMENTARY blog to go to, not so much for its substantive content, but for the ruthless and hilarious gut-busting comments of MICHAEL K, who runs it (and whom, for the record, we do NOT know personally). This dude ranks on everybody, with specific disdain for those whom deserve such wrath the most. . . just read it, our description won't do it justice. Big Ups bro. . . we hope our clients stay on your good side.