Music industry
A mediator who speaks music.
Royalty, publishing, copyright, label and band disputes, resolved privately with a mediator from the business.
- You keep control: no jury, no arbitrator’s award
- Private: keep it out of the press
- Works alongside your entertainment attorney
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What is music-industry mediation?
Music-industry mediation is a private negotiation, run by a neutral mediator, for disputes over royalties, splits, copyright, publishing, label contracts, band partnerships and management. Steven Corn spent thirty years on the business side of music, so he knows how deals, rights and royalties actually work. Your attorneys still advise you and draft the agreement.
- Free 20-minute consultation
- By video, anywhere
- Not legal advice
Music runs on relationships.
Co-writers
Partnerships that span decades, worth more than one lawsuit.
Artists & labels
Mid-contract disputes that need a business relationship intact.
Managers & artists
Trust-based relationships that shouldn’t turn public.
The disputes Stevenknows from the inside.
- Copyright infringement
- Songwriter & producer disputes
- Artist & manager disputes
- Publishing royalty disagreements
- Underpayment of royalties
- Catalog valuation in estates & divorces
- Sample clearance & IP
- Band partnership disputes
- Label contract breaches
- Sync licensing conflicts
- Name, image & likeness
Your deal, not averdict or an award.
In a jury trial or arbitration, someone else decides. In mediation, the agreement is crafted by the parties, not imposed on them.
| Jury trial | Arbitration | Mediation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides | A jury of strangers, guided by a judge. | An arbitrator you pay to decide for you. | You and the other side, together. |
| What the result can be | Usually a money verdict, but it can also result in a loss of intellectual property. | An award, usually money. | Anything you can agree on: splits, credits, future releases, an audit or a clean exit. |
| Privacy | Public record; hearings are open to the press. | Generally private. | Private by default; the terms can stay confidential. |
| Discovery | Depositions and document discovery that can leak. | Often limited, but still adversarial. | No formal discovery. |
| Finality | Appeals can add years. | Usually final, with very limited appeal. | Binding only once everyone signs. |
| The relationship | Adversarial: a winner and a loser. | Adversarial: a winner and a loser. | Built to keep working relationships intact. |
A general comparison; every case differs. Mediation is not legal advice.
From thebusiness sideof music.
About three decades of deals, catalogs and royalty statements, so you spend your time on the dispute, not on explaining the business.
- BFM Jazz, CEO A jazz label whose releases have earned 5 Grammy Awards and 17 nominations.
- BFM Digital, co-founder Music distribution working with hundreds of content partners across the major streaming platforms.
- Made In Memphis Entertainment, head of business affairs Label, distribution, synchronization and publishing operations.
- Viewpoint Consulting Services Fractional business affairs, catalog management and operations consulting.
- Mechanical Licensing Collective, Educational Ambassador Helping the music community collect their mechanical royalties.
- Los Angeles College of Music, faculty Publishing, royalties, distribution, international markets, and music business law and contracts.
Before you call.
Yes. Steven spent about three decades on the business side of music, including distribution, label operations, publishing and contracts, and teaches the subject at the Los Angeles College of Music.
Mediation is private by default, and a settlement can include confidentiality terms. That protects brand deals, label relationships and future collaborations.
Gladly. Steven isn’t a lawyer, so counsel stays counsel: you bring the dispute, he runs the mediation, and your attorney advises you and drafts the agreement.
Yes. Sessions run by video from anywhere or in person across the DMV, which suits artists and teams who are on the road.
The music business is small. Before taking a case, Steven checks for conflicts and discloses any relationship with either side. If there’s a conflict, he’ll say so and help you find another mediator.
Start with a conversation.
A free 20-minute consultation to see whether mediation fits. No cost, no obligation.
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