If you write, perform, produce, publish or commercially use music, copyright matters from the moment something valuable is created.
Our copyright lawyers for music advise artists, producers, songwriters, labels, publishers and businesses on ownership, licensing, royalties, infringement and disputes.
We help you understand what you own, protect the rights that matter and deal with problems before they start affecting releases, income or commercial relationships. As intellectual property solicitors, we also advise where music copyright sits alongside wider brand, creative and commercial rights.
If somebody is using your music without permission, disputing ownership or asking you to sign away valuable rights, speak to us early.
Reach out to us from our contact form and we will get back to you shortly.
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A track might begin with two people in a studio. By the time it is released, there may be artists, producers, managers, publishers, labels and collaborators involved.
If nobody agreed ownership properly at the start, success can expose that very quickly.
Music can also involve several separate rights. There may be copyright in the composition, lyrics and sound recording, alongside contractual rights held by different people.
We help clients work out exactly where they stand.
That can include advice on:
The paperwork should reflect the creative relationship. If everyone remembers the deal differently, you have a problem.
Seeing your music used without permission is frustrating. It can also cost you money and weaken your control over where your work appears.
Unauthorised use can happen in advertising, videos, podcasts, social media, film, games or another artist’s work.
If that happens, the first question is what you want to achieve.
Do you want the music removed? Do you want compensation? Would a licence solve the issue? Is the commercial relationship worth preserving?
Not every infringement needs a court case.
We assess what has been used, identify which rights are involved and help you choose the response that makes commercial sense.
That may involve demanding that the use stops, negotiating payment, agreeing a licence or taking formal action where necessary. Where a disagreement has already escalated, our dispute resolution solicitors can help you protect your position and keep the focus on the commercial outcome.
Sometimes the best result is getting paid and moving on.
This is where many music disputes begin.
One person may write the lyrics. Someone else creates the melody. A producer shapes the finished recording. A label may later acquire certain rights under an agreement.
Everyone may feel they contributed something valuable. That does not automatically mean everyone owns the same rights.
A successful release is a bad time to discover nobody agreed the splits.
We advise artists, bands, producers and songwriters on ownership and help document contributions before money, royalties and opportunities start creating tension.
We can also review existing contracts, emails, messages and other evidence where ownership is already disputed.
The aim is to establish a clear position and get everyone working from the same understanding.
Owning copyright is only useful if you know how it can be used.
A music licence can control where a track appears, how long it is used, which territories are covered and what you are paid.
Small drafting details can have a big commercial impact.
We review, negotiate and prepare agreements covering licensing, publishing, production, collaborations and other commercial uses of music. Our commercial contracts solicitors can also advise on wider agreements where music rights form part of a larger deal, partnership or business arrangement.
If somebody wants rights to your work, you should know exactly what you are agreeing to.
That includes what they can use, how they can use it, how long the arrangement lasts and what happens to your rights afterwards.
Clear agreements make creative relationships easier.
Samples and remixes are part of modern music. They also create legal risk when rights have not been cleared properly.
Using part of another track can involve rights in the original composition and the sound recording.
We advise artists, producers and rights holders on whether permission is needed, what needs to be cleared and how the commercial terms should work.
This is worth sorting before release.
A track being pulled after launch is disruptive. A dispute after marketing spend, distribution and promotion have already started is worse.
If your own work has been sampled or adapted without permission, we can also help you decide how to respond.
AI is creating new questions around music ownership, training data and the use of existing creative work.
The technology moves quickly. The commercial issues are already here.
Artists may want to know whether AI-generated output can be protected. Rights holders may discover that music has been used in training or reproduced in a recognisable way. Businesses may want to commercialise AI-generated music without creating unnecessary copyright risk.
We advise on questions around ownership, licensing, infringement, training data and the contracts sitting behind AI tools and music platforms.
If AI forms part of your creative process or product, get the legal position clear before you scale it.
Some of the hardest disputes are between people who originally trusted each other.
Bands split up. Producers and artists disagree over ownership. Songwriters challenge royalty percentages. Former collaborators keep using music after the relationship has broken down.
Those disputes can affect releases, income and future opportunities.
We help clients work out what matters, what the documents actually say and what outcome is worth pursuing.
That may involve negotiating a settlement, clarifying ownership, recovering unpaid sums, restricting future use or taking formal action.
We will not turn every disagreement into a fight.
We will tell you where you stand and help you choose the right next move.
Copyright can arise automatically when an original musical work is created and recorded in an appropriate form. Ownership can become more complicated where several people have contributed to the same track or where rights have been transferred under a contract. Written agreements help avoid later disputes over ownership and royalties.
Keep evidence of the use and avoid agreeing anything informally until you understand your position. We can assess which rights are involved, what options are available and what outcome makes commercial sense. That may include removal, payment, a licence or formal legal action.
You may need permission from more than one rights holder. There can be separate rights in the composition and the sound recording. Clearances should be dealt with before release, particularly where the track will be distributed, streamed or used commercially.
You created something valuable. Make sure you stay in control of it.
Asenda Law advises artists, producers, songwriters, rights holders and businesses on music copyright, licensing, ownership and disputes.
We keep the advice clear and commercially focused. You will understand what your rights are, where the risks sit and what your realistic options look like.
Whether you are protecting a new track, negotiating an agreement, dealing with unauthorised use or facing an ownership dispute, speak to us early.
It is much easier to protect your position before the problem gets bigger.
Reach out to us from our contact form and we will get back to you shortly.
Thanks for your enquiry!
We're looking into it and if a response is required we'll get back to you shortly.
We've also sent you a confirmation email. Please also check your spam folder.
Something went wrong submitting your enquiry,
it’s probably just a temporary problem so you should try again in a few minutes.
If you find that the form just won’t work you could email us directly at .
Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.
With a reputation as one of the UK’s leading intellectual property lawyers (World Trademark Review 1000), Ben has extensive experience in IP strategy, management, and enforcement. His career spans work with listed companies, Premier League clubs, international cinema chains, and innovative tech firms.
Known for his ability to break down complex legal matters, Ben advises clients on their IP and commercial strategies, providing a clear understanding of risks, outcomes, and opportunities. He has also led high-stakes negotiations and lectured internationally on IP and technology law, underscoring his commitment to knowledge-sharing in the industry.
Tom’s legal practice focuses on commercial and intellectual property matters, making him a trusted advisor for creative businesses across the UK. He has a particular focus on IP enforcement and litigation in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, the UK IPO, and the High Court. He is listed as a Recommended Individual by the World Trademark Review 1000 and is described as “excelling in managing contentious proceedings across various forums, achieving top results at the UKIPO, IPEC and High Court”. Tom represents clients from sectors as varied as AI companies, luxury goods houses, international cosmetics brands, and multi-national restaurant chains.
Before co-founding Asenda Law, Tom worked in private practice at one of London’s top IP boutiques and served as in-house IP Counsel for the EMEA region at a US-listed company.
Mark’s practice covers a broad spectrum of IP and IT law, advising clients ranging from start-ups to listed companies in industries like finance, fashion, and SaaS. He has represented clients in design, trademark, and domain disputes before the UK and EU Intellectual Property Offices, as well as in the High Court and other dispute resolution forums.
Mark’s extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters means he’s well-equipped to guide clients in protecting and commercialising their IP assets with confidence.
Lindsey manages an extensive trademark portfolio for clients across the UK, Europe, and globally, ensuring compliance and protection across jurisdictions.
A former forensic accountant, Lindsey brings analytical precision to her role, overseeing IP applications, renewals, and office actions. Her knowledge of both IP and finance makes her indispensable in managing our clients’ ongoing trademark needs and addressing complex administrative matters with clarity.
With a robust background in commercial law, Helen transitioned to IP in 2015, quickly becoming an invaluable part of Asenda Law’s team.
She manages client care, accounts, finance, and HR, overseeing the daily operations that ensure our firm runs smoothly. Helen’s meticulous approach and years of experience make her a trusted point of contact for both clients and colleagues.
