module specification

This module begins by considering the contractual environment within the music business and associated sectors. Important contractual areas will be critically examined including management agreements, recording agreements, digital distribution, self-release, 360-degree deals, publishing agreements, producer agreements, live performance agreements, licensing and sponsorship. The emphasis will be on enhanced practical understanding of contractual frameworks, contract law principles, best deal negotiating practice, and the role and use of legal agreements to meet the business imperatives of music companies and the career strategies of artists, managers and industry stakeholders. In addition, the broader entertainment business will be explored in relation to its evolving legal framework.

ESJ Framework:

This module will give students the opportunity to choose their subject of assessment within the syllabus according to their own particular interests, in accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework.
This module will place students at the heart of their learning experience, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally within their chosen legal employment sector. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework. Music Industry Business Affairs and Contracts is a rapidly growing international sector, offering diverse employability opportunities to future-ready students.

Module Aims:

1. To provide students with a critical understanding of key contract types used in the music industry,
2.To equip students with the ability to interpret and analyse the legal and commercial terms within music industry contracts,
3.To develop students' practical negotiation skills in real-world music business contexts
4. To explore the role of power, ethics, and representation in contractual relationships
5. To prepare students for career engagement with contracts by fostering critical literacy in contract structure, and communication strategies

NO 

Introduction to legal contracts, their status and enforceability LO2

Negotiating Skills and practice (LO4)

Understanding, amending, and drafting of contracts LO3

Contractual terms and provisions: (LO1)

Management agreements
Recording agreements
Producer agreements
Publishing agreements
Band Agreements
Synchronisation agreements
Live Agreements
Brand partnerships
Sponsorship

-Formal delivery: of the teaching and learning will be based on three contact hours per week
spread over 12 weeks with an additional enrichment week mid-way through the module. The teaching and learning techniques employed on the module will consist of the following: workshops, case-study discussions, videos, as well as problem solving questions in relation to current industry contract issues. Where possible, guest speakers will be invited.
-Outside of class contact hours: students will also be expected to undertake independent study and collaborative work (reading, discussions and own/group research).
-In class students will be set home study questions to prepare for the next class. Students are responsible for preparing for class, and studying relevant materials (articles, texts, case study, video etc) before coming. Teaching is delivered through a blended learning model, using weekly classroom workshops and Weblearn Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), in order to explore themes and identify issues typical of the music contracts & business affairs sector.
-Feedback -Students will receive both formative and summative feedback for their assessment, within 15 week days.

Assessment & ESJ Framework:

1.Formative Assessment: In preparation for the assessment, students will be invited to collaborate in groups on an early formative assignment in week 5.
In accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework, this is designed to help students’ build confidence, self-efficacy and emotional resilience, and creating trust and safe spaces to enable our students to express themselves and have their contributions validated.
Seminars will also be used to facilitate the building of good relations among students and teachers and develop peer relations and the use of peer support.
Opportunities for reflective learning will be available throughout the module as students are given the opportunity to consider their approach to tasks/discussions, whilst having the opportunity to reflect upon informal feedback.

2. Summative Assessment

This module will give students the opportunity to choose the subject of assessment within the syllabus, according to their own particular interests.
In accordance with the Inclusive Assessment aims of the ESJ Framework, this will help our student partners become co-creators of assessment knowledge, researching ideas about content that reflects individual students’ identities, experiences and interests. The opportunity to choose the assessment topic and format aims to reduce assessment anxiety and develop student confidence.
This module is designed to help students to self-evaluate, to aid decision making, to learn from mistakes and to help orientate the students’ future career and build employability skills.

On successful completion of the module, students will demonstrate that they can:
1. Evaluate the meaning and consequences of particular contractual terms and provisions of basic contracts typical of the sector (LO1)
2. Understand the process of contract drafting and negotiation (LO2)
3. Demonstrate the ability to accurately amend and draft specific contract clauses following legal practice guidelines (LO3)
4. Apply negotiation techniques to real-world music business scenarios, taking into power dynamics, and ethical considerations. (LO4)
 

Online Reading List:
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/C0644F1F-A081-3119-6EED-F2A2554B9345.html?lang=en-GB

Core Texts:
Elliott & Quinn's Contract Law, Quinn, F (2019) Pearson
Passman, D All you need to know about The Music Business, penguin Books (2017)
Harrison, A (2018) Music The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals, Virgin Books 2nd ed.
Bainbridge, D. I. (2018). Intellectual Property (8th edition.). Harlow, England: Longman Pearson

Recommended:
Cornish, W (2017) Cases and Materials on Intellectual Property, Sweet and Maxwells
Davis, J (2018) Intellectual Property Law, Butterworths
Carey, P (2017) Media Law, Sweet & Maxwell, 7th ed. Manchester Cavendish.
Carey, P and Verow, (2016) Media and Entertainment Law, Jordans 2nd ed.

Journals:
Entertainment Law Review
Music Week
MBW
Billboard
The Economist
Broadcast
Campaign
The Guardian Newspaper Media section
The Stage
Screen International

Websites
https://www.entsportslawjournal.com/
Electronic Databases:
Westlaw
Relevant law journals and case reports are available from the library (hardcopies) and on-line library resources (e.g. Lexis Library and WestLaw)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts/
www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology/

LINK (to be provided when VLE active)