The law firm of Alexander Duve deals with all legal and business affairs both of musicians, artists and authors as well as of those involved in the exploitation of musical works such as record companies and music publishers, agencies, management and booking agencies.

musicians
music and entertainment industry

musicians

We believe that – probably different to various other branches – legal consultancy in the music industry not only requires a thorough knowledge of the legal practice but at the same time a personal passion for music. Alexander Duve will guide you through the complex legal matters in a clear and easy-to-understand language.

The main priority from an artist's view, apart from appropriate royalties and split of revenues, obviously is an agreement that leaves sufficient space for artistic freedom while at the same time securing the artist's personal rights. Unfortunately, the realities of legal agreements, set-up by their contractual partners, quite often do not match these requests. This is the time for an experienced entertainment lawyer who puts his clients' interest first. The results are significant: royalty statements from the record companies and music publishers show that consulting legal advice has paid off. This holds particularly true for long-term licensing agreements.

From experience it is safe to say that more often than not after a certain time collaboration between the artist and, say, the record company does not run as smoothly as before. The law firm Alexander Duve will be pleased to identify the contractual alternatives. We present our clients with legal advice as to how to escape that trap of unfavourable agreements and pave the way to a new record company or music publisher.

In cases of unauthorised usage of musical works and / or trade mark Alexander Duve will act on his clients' behalf to enforce warnings, file for preliminary injunctions and - in short – will take over all the necessary litigation procedures.

The law firm of Alexander Duve will be happy to support musicians and authors in all matters regarding the set-up of their own label or music publishing company, and assist in all questions that may arise in the course of such an endeavour (e. g. the German collecting societies GVL, GEMA, VG Musikedition).

entertainment industry

Alexander Duve looks back on long experience in the entertainment industry. The law firm acts for all kinds of companies in the music industry. Particularly for the medium-sized companies, such as so-called independent record labels, music publishers and booking agencies as well as distributors the law office of Alexander Duve acts as their external legal departments in every respect.

We offer model agreements, as well as review, comment on, and negotiate all contractual and licensing agreements presented to our clients both in German and English. Alexander Duve knows from experience that litigation quite often arises from obsolete model contracts which do not allow for recent case law. Most often the damage is on the side of the record label and results in considerable legal and economic risks, such as compensation claims from third parties or even the total cessation of exploitation. Our model agreements are therefore up to date of case law. Alexander Duve will put particular emphasis on customized solutions and close consultations with his clients.

In cases of plagiarism, unauthorised usage of musical works and / or trade mark Alexander Duve will act on his clients' behalf to enforce warnings, file for preliminary injunctions and - in short – will take over all the necessary litigation procedures. Vice versa, the law office of Alexander Duve will act on behalf of your company in the defence against claims of third parties

The law firm of Alexander Duve will be happy to support companies in the entertainment industry in all matters regarding the collecting societies (such as GVL and GEMA) and the German insurance funds for creative professionals (Künstlersozialkasse KSK).