Buzz Suits: Trio of Mpls. Entertainment Lawyers to Discuss Hot Music Biz Issues at SxSW March 17-19

Against the dizzying sounds of South By Southwest buzz bands this week in Austin, Texas, the shape of the music business -- including how record labels are now asking for more artist revenue streams than ever before -- will also be discussed by the leading entertainment law firm between the coasts, Lommen Abdo, which is also cosponsoring the legal forum this year, which has doubled in size. As CD sales decline, record companies increasingly want to participate in music artist income like t-shirt sales, web-site ownership and commerce, ring tone and other digital sales and other revenue-generating activities. Before now none of that was any of their business. And much of it did not even exist!

MINNEAPOLIS (PRWEB) March 15, 2006 -- As CD sales decline, record companies increasingly want to participate in music artist income like t-shirt sales, web-site ownership and commerce, ring tone and other digital sales and other revenue-generating activities. Before now none of that was any of their business. And much of it did not even exist!

Meanwhile, artists and record companies “sell-out” with ease by seeking music placement in advertising and TV as well as invite a host of tour sponsors and commercial endorsements. Why is this happening? In part because new artist development and CD sales by record companies are decreasing while alternative artist revenue sources, plus music licensing deals for film, video games, DVD and in other media are increasing.

These and other timely issues will be discussed by a trio of veteran Minneapolis entertainment lawyers from Lommen Abdo Law Firm and their colleagues from around the country. From an unlikely part of the country, Lommen Abdo has grown to be the largest entertainment law practice is the Upper Midwest and a national player in the music law business.

The firm is also a co- sponsor with Minnesota-based Thompson West, the leading publisher of integrated information solutions to the legal profession, of this year’s Continuing Legal Education program, “Legal Issues in the Music Industry.”

Nels Jacobson, a founding organizer of SXSW and San Francisco-based attorney, chairs the legal panel events, which have now doubled in size from 12 to 26 panels and will attract some of the most prominent names in entertainment law as well as next-generation legal talent.

New Story Opportunities

Lommen Abdo’s entertainment law department co-chairs, Ken Abdo, Dan Satorius, and firm colleague Tim Matson, along with other attorneys, will participate in key panels based on their years of work with in the entertainment industry. If you’re fatigued from chasing down the latest buzz bands, sitting in on endless music critic panels, or want to connect with some great suits/sources, this year’s SxSW event in Austin March 17-19 offers a variety of new story ideas about and insights into the business of making music, including those sessions with Lommen Abdo: Here is a sample of 3 of the 8 panels – that can be found at www.sxsw.com

1) Working with Developing Bands: Agreements, Intellectual Property Protection, and Shopping, featuring Lommen Abdo’s Tim Matson (March 17: 12:30-1:30)

2) Acquisition and Licensing of Music for Film/TV/DVD, Moderated by Lommen Abdo’s Dan Satorius (March 17: 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

3) New Realities in Record Deals: Label Participation in Artist Revenue Streams – Moderated by Lommen Abdo’s Ken Abdo (March 18: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM)

“South by Southwest is one of our country’s great annual gathering places for anyone working in the music business at any level,” says Abdo whose Minnesota-based firm has an unusually active client base in Minnesota and across the country. Abdo and Satorius, have represented a range of music clients from The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Jonny Lang, Semisonic, NPG Records (owned by Prince), Michelle Branch, and Garrison Keillor to rising stars such as Anna Nalick, Vienna Teng, Rockie Lynn, Kristen Hall (Sugarland) and Keri Noble. Clients also include numerous award wining motion pictures and television programs and producers including Academy Awards®, Peabody Awards®, Emmy Awards®, and Sundance Film Festival® awards and nominations (see www.lommen.com).

“We’ve seen how huge the showcase has grown through the years and a how influential the legal seminar has become for music attorneys, and music business insiders to help better understand the legal developments that help shape the music business. Along with Thomson West, we’re proud to be able to sponsor this year’s discussions,” Abdo continues.

“Artists face a whole new set of challenges today that were almost unheard of even three or four years ago. Everything from licensing melodies for ring tones to file sharing online have turned copyright and IP issues into front-page news. We are here, with colleagues from around the country, to teach and learn as much about developments in the recording industry, as we are to network and hear some great new music.

For more information – or to interview the Lommen Abdo attorneys -- please contact Martin Keller at Media Savant Communications Co., 612-729-8585.

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