Product Description

This essential and highly acclaimed guide, now updated and revised in its fourth edition, explains the possibilities and pitfalls of the British music industry, from the developments in new media, privacy, sponsorship and sampling to the expanding role of the internet and the rise of digital music. Drawing on her extensive experience as a media lawyer, Ann Harrison offers a unique, expert opinion on the deals, the contracts and the business as a whole. She examines in detail the changing face of the music business and provides absorbing case studies of huge stars such as Robbie Williams, Ms Dynamite and Elvis Presley. Fascinating, practical and comprehensive, this is the bible for the music industry and indispensable reading for any musical entrepreneur.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7698 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Record Collector
'Harrison has cut a magnificent swathe through the legal jungle. Essential.'

Record Collector
'Harrison has cut a magnificent swathe through the legal jungle. Essential'

From the Publisher
The invaluable textbook and guide to the music business for media and law students, lawyers and anyone wanting to get into the music industry. Now fully revised and updated to include recent developments such as MP3s and cases like the Liberty X case.

Customer Reviews

Authoritative and UK specific - accept no substitute
When deciding on which book of the many available to buy regarding the music industry there are two overriding factors to take into account. These are whether the book up to date and if it covers the appropriate territory. Most books you will find on the subject tend to refer to the industry in the USA, and any that have been published prior to 2002 will not have adequate reference to new media issues. The second edition of this classic work by Ann Harrison achieves the goals of not only being UK specific but also being more up to date than most books in print with regard to new methods of distribution i.e. the Internet. Whether you are a musician, songwriter, manager, label owner, lawyer, accountant or any other of the vast roles this business encompasses, you will be able to interpret the information from your perspective. It is expertly written and Ann Harrison is in a better position to offer advice than most, having been the lawyer for some of the biggest names in the industry. The hardcover second edition is actually cheaper than the paperback first edition and is fully revised and updated for the post-Napster era. It covers all major aspects including types of record deal, management deals, publishing deals, manufacture, distribution, marketing, merchandising, touring, royalties, copyright, sample clearance, piracy, licensing, collection societies such as the PRS and MCPS, plus much more. All chapters have clearly summarised conclusions and there is a list of useful contacts included. If you need to know about the workings of the music industry in the UK, this second edition is peerless and should be at the very top of your book list.

Depending on what you are looking for...
You may or may not find this excellent book useful.

As I said, it is excellent and contains wealth of information. Anyone serious about their career should read this.

If you are looking for tips on how to get a record deal or ways to promote your music, you may be disappointed.

But if you want to have insight into music business and save yourself from a lot of frustration - this is what you need

great brook written by British music lawyer
this is an depth book on music law written by a very experienced british lawyer. It also contains sections on american music law. often entertaining & highly reccomended.