#204 - Making Sense of Entertainment Law
On the show with us today is Dave Ratner, the lead lawyer at Creative Law Network, a boutique entertainment law firm in Denver Colorado. We talk about what the difference is between an entertainment lawyer and a regular business attorney, along with navigating the waters when it comes such contracts as a record deal, a publishing deal, how copyrights protect your music, the new Copyright Claims Board that is being created, how labels and artists are getting creative in their record deals (is a traditional deal better than a 360 contract?), and how Covid has affected the live concert business. We even delve a bit into why the superstars are selling off their catalogs. Following a career in the music businesses as a tour manager, publicist, band manager, and founder of his own management agency, Dave Ratner is now the lead lawyer at Creative Law Network, a boutique entertainment law firm in Denver. Dave counsels clients throughout the music industry on everything from contracts and licensing, to intellectual property registration and protection, to dispute resolution. He is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Denver College of Law. Dave is an adjunct professor of entertainment law and copyright law at the University of Denver College of Law, Vice Chair of the Entertainment & Sports Section of the Colorado Bar Association, Advisory Committee Chair of Colorado Attorneys for the Arts, Vice President of the Swallow Hill Music Board, a founding board member of the Colorado Independent Venue Association, and speaks frequently on entertainment law issues throughout the country. For more information on Dave’s law firm, check them out at www.creativelawnetwork.com Special Thanks to Nick Sullivan, and Andreas Landeck at “The Keep Recording” Studio in assisting in the production of this episode. For more information on their facility, go to: www.thekeeprecording.com The Business Side of Music ™ © 2022 Lotta Dogs Productions LLC Showrunner and Executive Producer Emeritus: Tom Sabella Producer and Host (the guy who has a face for podcasting): Bob Bender Co-Producer - Audio/Video Editor (the man behind the curtain): Mark Sabella Director of Video and Continuity (the brains of the entire operation): Deborah Halle Marketing and Social Media (all knowing): Sarah Fleshner for 362 Entertainment All Around Problem Solver (and Mental Health Therapist for us): Connie Ribas Recorded inside an old beat up Airstream Trailer located somewhere on what’s left of Music Row in Nashville TN (except during pandemics, then it's pretty much been accomplished VIA Zoom or over the phone, with the exception for those fearless enough to come to Bob Bender's dining room… and there have been a few that have survived). Mixed and Mastered at Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Editing and Post at Midnight Express Studio located in Olian, NY Production Sound Design: Keith Stark Voice Over and Promo: Lisa Fuson Special Thanks to the creator and founder of the podcast, Tom Sabella, along with Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast and trusting us to carry on their legacy. Website: If you would like to be a guest on the show, please submit a request to: [email protected] If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor for the show, let us know and we’ll send you a media / sponsorship kit to you. Contact us at [email protected]