Music Law: Contract Negotiation and AI

Semester: Spring 2027
Course ID: 296W
Credit Hours: 2
Unique: 29940

Registration Status: Waitlisted

Course Information

Grading Method: Pass/Fail Allowed (JD only)
Experiential Credit: 2 credit hours
Will use floating mean GPA if applicable

Registration Information

Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Evaluation Method

Type	Date	Time	Location
Final exam	May 3, 2027
Other

Description

### Music Law: Contract Negotiations and AI This practice-based course explores music industry transactional dealmaking, regulation, and the rapidly evolving impact of artificial intelligence on creators and streaming platforms. Students develop practical original drafting and negotiation skills through a recording artist deal memo, while examining how artist, union, producer, publishing, and distribution agreements interact in the music business. We will consider selected current AI legislation and litigation, with particular attention to the exploitation of personhood signals and the implications for artists, session musicians, and songwriters. Students will also examine AI industrial policy and compare developments in the United States, United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions concerning AI regulation, biometric privacy, and rights of personality. The course also reviews the ongoing Copyright Royalty Board's Phonorecords V rate-setting proceeding in the context of the role of the CRB, the Copyright Office, mechanical royalty licensing and rate setting, and the MLC. Weekly discussions of current events connect legal developments to real-world industry practices. The course includes guest speakers, a team-based negotiation simulation, and a final exam. No prior music law experience is required. This is a course in music industry practice, not a general copyright law course. Required Text: All You Need to Know About the Music Business: Eleventh Edition by Donald S. Passman

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

All You Need to Know About the Music Business *

Passman, Donald S.

Simon & Schuster , edition: 11
ISBN: 978-1-66801-106-5

Music Money and Success 8th Edition : The Insider's Guide to Making Money in the Music Business (optional)

Brabec, Jeff and Brabec, Todd

Omnibus Press , edition: 8
ISBN: 978-1-78760-138-3

Instructors

Castle, Christian L.