Written by John Graham, Associate in Halifax. In June 2025, a U.S. federal court released a major decision involving Anthropic PBC, a leading developer of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The case examined whether training AI models using copyrighted materials without permission can qualify as “fair use” under U.S. law. Although the ruling applies to American […]
Written by Matthew Gorman, Partner in Halifax. Producers play a critical role in the music industry. A skilled producer can be the deciding factor between a track becoming a viral hit or fading into obscurity. Behind every successful record is a producer agreement that sets the foundation for the collaboration. Here are five practical tips […]
Written by F. Richard Gosse. Background The concept is not new – parties committing to provide work or services decide to write down what each expects of the other: a scope of work, a mechanism for payment, some general provision for timelines, changes, and warranties or the like. More sophisticated engagements may (or may not) […]
Written by: Matthew K. LeBlanc What happens when a company terminates someone who is both an employee and a shareholder? In Kirke v Spartan Controls Ltd, 2025 ABCA 40 (“Spartan Controls”), the Alberta Court of Appeal reiterated the distinction between a person’s employment rights and their shareholder rights, and held that the payments owed upon […]
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – particularly for construction. Whether it is a new build or a renovation, it is costly work prone to surprises. A properly drafted contract will benefit both the owner and the contractor by providing clarity and certainty. The contract should: Clearly define the scope of […]
Let’s face it: ‘metaverse’ has become an annoying buzzword over the last few years (although the term originated in 1992 in the science fiction novel Snow Crash). When most of us hear the word ‘metaverse’, one or more of the following might come to mind: (1) it refers to something that “is coming” (or probably […]
Being presented with a contract in the music industry, whether a big deal or small, can be both exciting and anxiety inducing. There are many different types of deals you might see throughout your career in the music business, such as management, recording, distribution, publishing, etc. These contracts can be long, complex, and filled with annoyingly dense legalese. However, when presented with a music contract, take a deep breath, and start by asking yourself the following 5 questions, which will help you assess the contract at the early stages (although not a replacement to having a music lawyer review in detail!).
A simple conversation with a lawyer who has experience in the music business can assist in flagging potential issues and provide useful information and guidance as you navigate through this complex and dynamic terrain, whether as an artist or industry professional (or both).
A well drafted band agreement is critical to ensuring all band members are on the same page from the beginning and will hopefully assist in avoiding disputes altogether, or provide swift clarity in the event a dispute arises.
Whether you co-write with your co-writer(s) in your living room, spontaneously in the studio, during a song camp, or via Zoom, you need to consider all the ‘legal stuff’. Halifax entertainment lawyer Matthew Gorman breaks down some key legal points when it comes to co-writing songs.