Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MUSIC CONTRACTS
Code MUSI516
Coordinator Dr M Flynn
Music
Mathew.Flynn2@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2023-24 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

To encourage students to recognise that music industry is structured by direct and indirect acts of legislation and by case law.
To examine issues of contract law and its connection with the ownership, transference and exploitation of the right to make copies of songs and recordings.
To encourage students to appreciate the interaction between rights transference and the disciplines of music production.  
To encourage in students a grasp of the legal framework within and through which music industry takes place.
To develop awareness in students of the nature of disputes within the music industry and the bearing of case law precedents upon them.
To consider the recording industry's resort to the legal system to maintain its competitive position in the market for popular music products with regard to music and the internet.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to identify and discuss key legal principles and acts of legislation related to music creativity and music business.

(LO2) Students will become familiar with the centrality of legally-binding agreements (contracts) to the widest range of music-industrial practices

(LO3) Students will become aware with what constitutes a legally-binding agreement and what grounds such an agreement might be challenged. They will also be familiar with key cases in music industry law wherein such challenges have been mounted, successfully and unsuccessfully.

(LO4) Students will be certain that the law and the labour process of popular music bear on each other in the enjoyment of private property in popular music

(LO5) Students will be able to demonstrate a fluency with a range of broader issues – from the impact of digital technology on Intellectual Property to issues of music plagiarism and issues of music censorship.

(S1) Business and customer awareness basic understanding of the key drivers for business success – including the importance of innovation and taking calculated risks – and the need to provide customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty

(S2) Career and identity management online managing digital reputation and online identity

(S3) Communication, listening and questioning respecting others, contributing to discussions, communicating in a foreign language, influencing, presentations

(S4) Communication and collaboration online participating in digital networks for learning and research

(S5) Information literacy online, finding, interpreting, evaluating, managing and sharing information

(S6) Literacy application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy - including listening and questioning

(S7) Numeracy (application of) manipulation of numbers, general mathematical awareness and its application in practical contexts (e.g. measuring, weighing, estimating and applying formulae)

(S8) Problem solving/ critical thinking/ creativity analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

(S9) Research management developing a research strategy, project planning and delivery, risk management, formulating questions, selecting literature, using primary/secondary/diverse sources, collecting & using data, applying research methods, applying ethics


Syllabus

 

Intellectual Property and associated Rights
The assignment of Rights and sources of revenue.
The assignment of Rights and the contract system.
Key contracts
Between musicians and music publishers
Between musicians and record companies
Between musicians and artist managers
Between musicians and live agents
Between Venues and musicians
Between promoters and musicians and venues
Between musicians and merchandisers, sponsors and brands Contract disputes and legal remedies.
This module explores the centrality of legally-binding agreements to music business and through this, to music industry. Contracts are central to music industry for the way they habitually 'position' musicians in relation to music companies of all descriptions: music contracts tend to express the needs of businesses more than they secure the needs of musicians as music-makers. Students will read contracts and explore contract disputes. To the ext ent that this module is shared between two MAs there is the opportunity to learn from the Liverpool Philharmonic's legal team in terms of the range and nature of contracts engaged in by a complex, music institution.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: The core concepts associated with legally-binding agreements will be introduced and then exemplified by attention to various types of music industry contract.

Teaching Method 2 – Face to Face or Online Seminar
Description: Tasks, readings and discussions related to the lecture content and designed to build students' knowledge and skills toward completing the assessment tasks

Attendance Recorded: Yes
Unscheduled Directed Student Hours (time spent away from the timetabled sessions but directed by the teaching staff): A number of key texts will be identified together with key cases in which legal precedents were established. Students should familiarise themselves with these and become aware of current activity in the sphere of legal affairs in relation to music business.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12

12

        24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 126
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 1 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): 2    40       
Assessment 2 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): 2    60       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.