Are 360 degree deals good value for an artist?
With
Judge JulesJudge Jules explains what a 360 deal is - where the label shares in touring, branding and more - and how to judge whether it is fair, from the percentage to profit versus gross.
What's in the course
46 lessons (1h 6m) · 1 free
01. Accounting
Free lesson1:16
02. Termination
1:29
03. Collection societies and letter of direction
0:26
04. Commission structure
2:32
05. Cross platform-multimedia aspects
0:39
06. Expenses
1:10
07. Key man provisions
1:01
08. A manager's obligations
2:33
09. Post term commission
1:30
10. Should a manager be involved in all aspects of an artist's income?
1:40
11. Term
1:46
12. Should a manager manage more than one artist?
1:24
01. Accounting payments and auditing
2:18
02. Ancillary shares
1:58
03. Artist approvals
1:51
04. Artist promotional obligations
1:50
05. Assignment or licence - what's the difference?
3:17
06. Interplay with publishing
0:51
07. Options
1:39
08. Release commitment
1:26
09. Rights in the artist's name and brand
1:26
10. Royalty types
1:20
11. Territory of agreement
1:54
12. Warranties and indemnities
1:37
01. What are the most important areas of a contract for a new artist?
2:11
02. Is it normal that a music lawyer would meet me and listen to my case before charging me?
1:15
03. If a label, publisher or manager approaches me to sign a contract but I dont have the funds to pay for a lawyer, who should pay the legal fees?
1:20
04. Are 360 degree deals good value for an artist?
You are here1:14
05. Am I still protected when it comes to copyright in the NFT or the crypto world?
0:26
06. Should I be wary of a publishing deal?
1:02
07. What protection exists for artists releasing their own music that don't have access to a lawyer?
1:03
Lesson transcript
Understanding 360 Deals in the Music Industry
A 360 deal is an agreement where the record company takes income not just from the artist's tracks and recordings, but also participates in income from other activities of the artist within the music industry. This includes:
- Live performances
- Branding and endorsements
- Modeling
- Acting
Essentially, any income that emanates from the artist's presence within the music business can be included in this deal.
Reasonableness of 360 Deals
When discussing whether a 360 deal is reasonable or unreasonable, it often depends on several factors:
- Financial Offer: If the record company offers a vast amount of money, it can establish a commercial position where these types of deals are more acceptable.
- Negotiation: It is crucial for artists to negotiate with a lawyer who is well-versed in these contracts.
Key Considerations in Negotiation
- Lowest Possible Percentage: Artists should aim to negotiate the lowest percentage possible for the record company's share of non-music income.
- Calculation Basis: The way the percentage of non-music income is calculated should be carefully considered. Ideally, it should be based on profit rather than gross income.
Quote: "The difference between what an artist earns in pounds and pence and what they actually make by way of profit, once you've deducted all the costs of doing business, can be very different."
In summary, while 360 deals can be beneficial under certain circumstances, it's essential for artists to approach them with caution and seek expert legal advice.
46 lessons
1h 6m of structured video lessons
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Meet your guru
Meet your guru
Jules O'Riordan has over 30 years of experience across the entire spectrum of the music industry. This includes nearly a decade as an A&R for the Universal umbrella of labels, 15 years as a presenter on BBC Radio 1, over 150 record releases and remixes in his own capacity as a recording artist, plus a 30-year career as one of Britain's best-known, globally-travelled DJs (Judge Jules), with over 5000 gigs under his belt, plus extensive experience as an event promoter and artist manager at the highest level.
Suffice to say, Jules knows the music industry inside-out, and his clients regard him as a trusted advisor for whom no legal or business affairs challenge or problem is too large or small.
Jules has been a lawyer for 10 years. His practice takes in the entire breadth of the music-focused entertainment industry. His legal and deal expertise includes management, recording, publishing, distribution and label services, music-based apps, games and tech projects, production deals, producers, featured artists, endorsements, merchandising, neighbouring rights, TV/film scores, live performance, events and venue agreements, plus copyright and rights infringement and many other disputes.
Jules's clients include artists, management companies, record labels, songwriters, event promoters, producers, music tech businesses, production companies, live agents, music publishers and DJs. He has spoken on many panels and seminars including ADE, Brighton Music Conference and AIM events, and has been a guest speaker on legal issues across a number of on and off-line media outlets, including BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Introducing, Financial Times, The Sun, The Times and Mixmag.
Jules speaks fluent Spanish.
Who better to demystify the contracts and deals every musician eventually faces? In his course, Jules turns three decades of hard-won industry knowledge into plain-English guidance, so you can understand the business side of music and protect your work long before you sign on the dotted line.
