IP Barrister Clinics - Copyright & Musicians' Rights

For Creative Enterprises and Businesses

Whether you're publishing content, collaborating on a creative project, building a brand, or launching a product, intellectual property is part of your work — even if you haven’t thought about it that way. From writing and design, to logos and packaging, IP underpins much of what makes your creative output or business unique.

If you’ve ever wondered who owns the rights to something you’ve commissioned, how to protect your work from being copied, or what you can legally use in your own materials, you’re not alone. These are common questions — and the answers can make a real difference to how you operate and grow.

To help you navigate these issues, we offer free IP advice clinics with a barrister who specialises in copyright, trade marks, design rights and contracts. These sessions are open to entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives and anyone working with IP — but do not cover patents, for which we have a dedicated patent attorney.

For Musicians

• What can I do if someone rips off my music?
• Who in a band owns the songs and the name?
• Can I release a cover version on my album?
• How does copyright work?

For most musicians, talking to a lawyer is the last way you’d want to spend your time.

However, if you’re in a band that’s been paid for a gig, had a record released or been played on the radio, every member of the band has rights that can be protected and exploited. Even if you don’t know what they are, someone else will – and could benefit from you being kept in the dark.

If you want to understand your rights, or if you have questions about how the law and music work together, then you can talk to a musician and barrister who can answer your questions at a free musicians’ rights clinic.

About the expert

Mark Wilden is a barrister at 3PB Barristers. He formed the band The Evenings in 2002, whose single “Let’s Go” was Time Out magazine’s Bedroom Single of The Week, and whose 2005 song “I Didn’t Remember” was described by Steve Lamacq as “actually quite good”. He was called to the bar in 2018 and specialises in copyright and trade mark litigation. Find out more at www.3pb.co.uk

FAQs

What is your refund policy?

Our events are free, but places are limited and events are usually oversubscribed. Please give two working days’ notice via email if you wish to cancel.

How can I find out about any news & upcoming events?

Follow us on Eventbrite and you can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and events. For more information on BIPC Bristol check out our web pages: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/BIPC

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Helping you to start and grow your small business with free resources, 1:1 support, advice clinics & workshops

The Business & IP Centre Bristol supports people to start, protect and grow their businesses. Visit Bristol Central Library to access our free market research and intellectual property databases and take part in our regular programme of workshops and events.

BIPC Bristol is part of Bristol Libraries and the BIPC National Network.