The Present and Future of Music Law and Practice

Monday 1st July 2019 – University of Central Lancashire, Preston

A conference which will examine the intersection between music and law, with a particular focus on the current legal and business challenges posed by a morphing, transnational, mid-digital marketplace.

The inextricable link between law and the commercial exploitation of music is both complementary and confrontational. The music industry’s susceptibility to factors outside of its control, such as economy, culture and technology, mean that the mode and manner of how music is made, obtained, consumed and exploited is in a perpetual state of flux. At the same time, this international industry (which makes an annual contribution of £3.6 billion to the UK’s economy) is underpinned by contractual and intellectual property law regimes which take time to respond to fast moving developments. This creates unprecedented challenges for those working at the coalface, from music industry practitioners to music lawyers. The aim of this conference is to explore these challenges and to consider what the solutions might be.

We invite submissions covering a range of related topics including:

• Music business contracts Intellectual property law (in particular copyright)
• Licensing, royalties and royalty collection
• Digital rights issues and developments
• Digital music commerce, including streaming

Piracy

• Arbitration and mediation of music industry disputes
• Legal issues arising from new business models, technologies, music distribution, live events, and merchandising

Keynote speakers and panelists include Ann Harrison (Music: The Business), Jules O’Riordan (Judge Jules) and Peter Hook (Joy Division & New Order), Et al

Interested participants should submit an abstract of circa 500 words with a short bio to Glen Woodroffe at [email protected], copying in Tony Rigg at [email protected]

The deadline for abstracts is 5:00pm (UK time) Wednesday 15 May 2019.