Interview by Percy Carey of AmericanHunger.com

Interview with Anthony Arther, ESQ

Anthony Arther is a well-versed entertainment attorney based in Manhattan, New York. His clients range from politicians, to artists to athletes. Multi-lingual and experienced, I had the opportunity to interview him and get some insight on the legal side of the industry.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in in Bedstuy, Brooklyn before my teen years. After that I went to a boarding school in NH and finished high school in Europe.

How long have you been into law?
I started law school in New York and went to Tokyo, Japan in 1997 for my last year of law school. I became an attorney in 1998, certified to practice law in NY State and Federal Courts.

What type of law do you specialize in?
International Business, Entertainment, Sports Agency and Real Estate. I also dabble in Criminal Law, if my clients get into trouble.

Who are some of the clients that you represent?
I started my career working at Polygram, which at the time was the biggest label (they owned Mercury and Def Jam for instance). Currently I represent international business companies, such as www.t-string.com from Holland, former Jets players, such as Freeman Mcneil, underground hip hop artists, such as Tragedy Khadafi, R&B/pop artists, such as Buddafly, the first group signed by Russell Simmons' new label (although I do not represent them currently), and host of smaller indie labels and film companies. I also am the CEO of www.demoshoppers.com, www.labelshoppers.com, and www.scriptshoppers.com; so I am always in contact with A&Rs and work with a host of power entertainment attorneys.

What percentage of artists in the music industry would you say know the business side of music?
In my experience, I would say that the majority of artists do not know the business side of music. However, because of the Internet, technology and the behind the scene stories on Cable/ DVDs, etc., artists are becoming more hip to the business side. In addition, because of a new generation which has positive role models who are in the entertainment business, such as Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Diddy, etc., artist are now aspiring to be business conscience.

What's the biggest mistakes artists make when they don't have proper representation?
Without proper representation, artists sign agreements that are one-sided and are not fully negotiated. Moreover, artists who do not have proper representation also tend to get in trouble more often with law enforcement and the tax man.

Are you surprised at some of the contracts that artists have signed before they met you?
Suprised? No. Disillusioned? Very.

Did you ever have to get someone out of their contract because it was just too fucked up?
On many occasions. Recently, I had a client who basically signed away all his publishing, and was bound to a contract that ran into perpituity. Suffice to say, it was unfair (a contract of adhesion and unconsciable). Luckily, my associates are some of the best litigation attorneys in the city, so with a few stern letters and an attached summons and complaint, the matter was resolved.

Has a lot changed in the music industry (artist and label deals)? If so is it for the better? Or is it worst?
The Industry is in a metamorphisis. Back in the recent day, it was more fun, people were getting paid. Now it is more difficult for an artist to get a lucrative deal from a major, but it is better, I think for indie labels who take the initiative and do things themselves. Labels are looking for indies who know their market and have business sense. In addition, if an artist has other talents, such as producing, acting, writing, etc., it is, I think, much better for them.

What are some of the qualities an artist should look for when searching for an entertainment attorney?
Someone who has time.
Someone who they can communicate in PLAIN ENGLISH.
Someone who is affordable.
Someone who will go to bat for them.

What's some free legal advice you can give to a new jack in the music industry reading this?

Educate yourself. Reading various entertainment books and watching VH1 Behind the Music specials, attend music and entertainment seminars. Donald Passman, "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" is a must (until I write my book, lol).

Know that Copyright Registration is King, when we deal with the entertainment Industry. Something also vital is trademark and servicemark protection to protect your business and artist name (check out www.uspto.gov).

Use common sense, music is only a small part of the entertainment industry, use the Internet more, get into film production, DVDs and new technologies and the relatively untapped international market.

What's your definition of American Hunger?
It reminds me of 'Dem belly full but they hungry' by Angry Mob. American Hunger seems to describe the dichotomy of a country that seems to have enough but paradoxically cannot or does not feed its own. It seems to me conjure up images of 'refugees' who can technically vote, but who ironically do not have power to control their elected officials greed. 'American Hunger', seems to describe, agitate, provoke and reveal the underbelly of democracy. But of course, that is just my opinion.