Who actually owns your content? This episode of Strategy Notes unpacks the basics of copyright, works for hire, buying existing work, and collaborating with others. Listeners will find out why paperwork matters at every stage, common pitfalls that can cost creators ownership, and actionable steps to safeguard creative assets. A must-hear for anyone making, sharing, or monetising content in today’s creator economy. 

Timestamps

00:00:10  Intro: Who this is for: musicians, podcasters, YouTubers, creators.
00:02:30 Segment 1:  Engaging Others – Getting Clear on Ownership
00:08:04 Segment 2: Getting It Sorted: Contracts & Marketplace Hires
00:12:43 Segment 3: Ownership in Collaboration
00:16:47 Segment 4: Final Thoughts

This episode grew out of TBL’s itch to offer advice beyond what a Reddit comment thread could hold. In doing so, we decided to launch “Reddit Files” – a series where we plan to bring you TBL’s deep dive on a user question. The episode covers a quick lesson in law, industry talk, and (TBL’s personal favorite) tips and strategy to protect your rights.

This episode is about getting into sync licensing. We start with the basics: what sync licensing actually means, the difference between master and publishing rights, and when you can (and can’t) license your music independently. From there, we move into how sync really works in practice, such as, the kinds of opportunities that exist, where the money tends to come from, and so on.

We also talk through the ecosystem around sync: agencies, platforms, blanket licences, distribution deals, and beatdriven sync models. More importantly, we look at the deal terms to consider, whether you are negotiating directly or signing up with a sync agency.

If you’ve ever wondered whether sync can really work for you, this one should help you think it through with a bit more clarity. And if you’ve got feedback, questions, or topics you want discussed on this medium, you can write to me at [email protected]

Timestamps

00:00:09  Intro: Why You Can’t Ignore Distribution Anymore
00:01:56 Segment 1: Reddit Files: The Sync Question
00:03:52 Segment 2: Sync Basics – What Is Sync and How Does It Work?
00:08:31 Segment 3: Sync Licensing Opportunities: Where Does the Real Money Lie?
00:13:20 Segment 4: Sync Contracts: The Essentials
00:30:25 Segment 5: Conclusion

This episode is for any artist, indie label, or catalogue owner looking to put music out into the world. We’re breaking down what really matters when you’re picking a distribution platform. This episode lays out the practical steps for screening your options, figuring out what terms actually matter, and how to keep more of what you earn.

Timestamps

00:00:09  Intro: Why You Can’t Ignore Distribution Anymore
00:02:13 Segment 1: The New Distribution Landscape
00:06:12 Segment 2: Screening Your Options: Finding the Right Distribution Fit
00:08:53 Segment 3: What to Watch For: Distribution Terms That Matter
00:16:00 Wrap Up: Final Thoughts: Make It Work for You

This episode is for every artist who’s ever wondered if it’s time to bring in a manager. If you’re navigating that turning point where management could take your career further, or if you’ve seen others struggle to find the right fit, you’ll find what you need here.

We’re talking about what a manager actually does (and doesn’t), how to tell when you’re truly ready for that relationship, and the kinds of setups that are prevalent. From label-assigned A&Rs and friend-turned-managers to professional agencies and boutique teams, we break down the pros, cons, and real-life stories behind each.

You’ll get a practical roadmap for deciding if now’s the time, what to look for in a manager, and how to avoid the classic traps that trip up so many artists. By the end of this episode, you’ll know what’s worth chasing and what’s worth walking away from.

Timestamps

00:00:09  Intro: When Do You Need a Manager?
00:01:22 Segment 1: What Does a Manager Actually Do?
00:02:46 Segment 2: When Do You Actually Need a Manager?
00:03:53 Segment 3: What Does a Real Artist–Manager Relationship Look Like?
00:10:26 Segment 4: How To Structure the Deal
00:14:20 Segment 5: Wrap Up

This episode is for every artist who’s ever had a label A&R show up in their DMs or wondered if they should reply. If you’re trying to figure out what’s real, what’s noise, and how to keep your value front and centre, you’ll find it here.

We’re talking about the early stages: what that first message can (and can’t) mean, how to check if an offer is worth your time, and what to ask so you walk into any label meeting with clarity and leverage.

Timestamps

00:00:10 Segment 1: The DM Slide – Filtering Signal from Noise
00:01:22 Segment 2: Basic Checks —Don’t Get Played
00:02:33 Segment 3: The Initial Exchange –  Reading Between the Lines
00:04:23 Segment 4: Setting the Ground Rules 
00:05:37 Segment 5: In the Room—Owning the Meeting
00:07:14 Segment 6: That’s a wrap

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered if they really need to call a lawyer or if that step is just for the bigger players. We’re talking through the basics: when you should actually have a legal voice in your corner, what entertainment lawyers do behind the scenes, and why legal advice isn’t just for major contracts or dramatic disputes.

You’ll hear how legal knowledge fits into your creative roadmap, how to spot the right moments for advice, and why engaging a lawyer doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. 

Timestamps

00:00:10 Intro: Why This Conversation Matters
00:01:36 Segment 1: Knowledge Is Power
00:03:30 Segment 2: What an Entertainment Lawyer Really Does?
00:08:07 Segment 3: Engaging a Lawyer – Taking the Fear Out

Welcome to Clause & Effect, a podcast hosted by The Braided Lawyer — a seasoned entertainment and IP lawyer with over 15 years of experience advising artists, labels, producers, platforms, and creative entrepreneurs across music, film, and digital media.

In this series, we pull back the curtain on the real conversations in the entertainment industry ranging from record deals to royalty disputes, artist–manager relationships to platform policies, and the unseen leverage that drives every creative contract.

The podcast combines deep legal insight with strategic storytelling, offering creators and professionals a candid, practical look into how deals are really made (or broken).

Whether you’re an artist, a founder, a producer, or just legally curious, Clause & Effect is your weekly source of behind-the-scenes truths, legal tools, and creative leverage.

Find us on Instagram and TikTok @‌thebraidedlawyer

New episodes every week.

🎙️ Available on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you get your podcasts.