National Public Radio’s NPR Music has released it’s Best Music of 2013. Recounting the best new artists is the list of “10 Artists You Should Have Known in 2013.” Creative Law Network’s entertainment attorney Dave Ratner represents two of the bands listed on this exclusive list. Check it out!
The annual Create Denver Expo catalyzes the creative sector by bringing together innovative thinkers, doers and leading business experts to share insights, tools and resources that will help bring your creative ideas to life, stabilize your business, plan for the future and thrive. As a featured speaker, Creative Law Network attorney Dave Ratner will present on "Copyrights, Trademarks and Intellectual Property Law for Creatives." The Create Denver Expo is this Saturday September 21 at the McNichols Building on Civic Center Park. Come check it out! Read More >
Did you know that "Don't Mess With Texas" is a federally-protected trademark? So is "Remember the Alamo". That means only the State of Texas (the trademark owner) can use these slogans or anything similar to these trademarks. This is an important piece of trademark law! And you don't need to be a trademark lawyer to know it. Read More >
One of the most timeless issues in copyright law involves the most popular song in the world: “Happy Birthday.” Is it true that “Happy Birthday” is protected by copyright? Do you need to get a music license to use “Happy Birthday”? We always thought so but a new lawsuit seeks to prove us wrong. Read More >
Consulting with an entertainment attorney before using products in a film is crucial. Make sure to consider rights clearance for your independent film project. Don’t just take it from me; this article covers the basics. Read More >
Most musicians know to register with a performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI) to collect royalties for public performances of their music. Too few know about registering with SoundExchange to collect for online performances. It's not necessarily an entertainment lawyer or music lawyer's job to counsel their clients on registering for SoundExchange, but check out this valuable article on doing just that! Read More >
Creative Law Network attorney Dave Ratner will be a member of the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase Panel: How to Be a Rockstar in 365 Days. Dave Ratner is the entertainment law and music attorney chosen to be on the panel with artists, educators, and other music industry professionals. Come see what it's all about this Saturday July 21 at 3:00pm at South Broadway Christian Church at 23 Lincoln Street in Denver. Read More >
I explain the importance of trademark registration to all my clients, whether they are in music, film, or any other industry. My friends James Trigg and Ashford Tucker (both experienced entertainment and intellectual property attorneys) explain it well in this interview/article. Check it out! Read more>
The music industry is full of legal myths. As entertainment lawyers we try to debunk these myths for our clients. This blog post tells the truth about some myths in copyright law and music law. Read More >
Fair use is an exception to the rule that you cannot use or exploit another's copyrighted work. Many artist's rely on fair use to reuse, comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. In Cariou v. Prince, Richard Prince had made artwork by painting over some of Patrick Cariou's published photographs. Years of litigation followed and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently handed down its decision. Read More >