MU2S42 - Music Contracts and the Law 04 Nov 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MU2S42
Module Title: Music Contracts and the Law
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader:
Module Team: Lucy Squire, Daniel Champion, Simon Thomas, Rob Locke, Victoria Pledger
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100643 - music and arts management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 04 Nov 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To develop a comprehensive understanding of music recording, publishing, agency and artist management contracts. To develop an understanding of copyright and intellectual property (IP) rights essential for a practitioner in the music & entertainment industries.

Content Summary

Students will be introduced to the concepts of contract law and its application in the music and entertainment industries. Precedents and landmark cases will be examined, helping students to understand the current legal framework.

The module will review the evolution and current state of statute and case law as it applies to copyright and IP. With this knowledge, students will then be exploring the issues and challenges surrounding subjects including the protection and commercialisation of artistic works, image rights, moral rights, defamation, music sampling.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 20
Independent Study 92
Directed Study 72
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 2
Formative Assessment - Independent 2
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge of contract law and its application in the music and entertainment industry.
LO2 To analyse and interpret law and precedent in music and entertainment industry contract legal cases.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay analysing relevant legal issue within the context of UK music business law. 0 3000 60 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1 Contract Negotiation: Industry deal memos (Heads of Agreements) analysed and negotiated by students playing role of music lawyers. 100 1 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1

Reading List

Herstand, A. (2019) HOW TO MAKE IT IN THE NEW MUSIC BUSINESS?: practical tips on building a loyal following... and making a living as a musician. S.L.: Liveright Publishing Corp
Baskerville, D. and Baskerville, T. (2020). Music business handbook and career guide. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Harrison, A. (2017) Music the business: the essential guide to the law and deals. (7th ed). London: Virgin Publishing
Passman, D. (2019) All You Need To Know About The Music Business. (10th Ed). New York: Viking
Chisholm, A.K. (2014). Run your music business: how to license your music, negotiate contracts, pay business taxes & work full-time in music. Greenlight Books & Publishing.
Gammons, H. (2011). The Art of Music Publishing An Entrepreneurial Guide to Publishing and Copyright for the Music, Film, and Media Industries. Oxford Routledge Ann Arbor, Michigan Proquest.
Bargfrede, A. (2017). Music law in the digital age: copyright essentials for today’s music business. Boston, Ma: Berklee Press.