Paul Quin was a Presenter at St. Petersburg College

Paul Quin was a presenter at St. Petersburg College, as part of its Speaker Series, an open event for professional development with industry speakers. Mr. Quin discussed key aspects to the business side of being a musician including contracts, licensing, and royalties.

Mr. Quin has spent many years as a professional drummer and remains active in the music industry. He represents a variety of entertainers, mostly within the music business, specializing in representing drummers and other sidemen in all aspects of their professional careers including band agreements, endorsements, contract drafting, negotiation and review, business plans, business formations, management, and publishing.

  Saxon|Gilmore also has a strategic professional relationship allowing for the ability to liaise with one of the country's leading intellectual property firms and through that relationship, Saxon/Gilmore can provide advice on copyright and intellectual property law. In addition, we can help by taking steps to properly develop projects and negotiate and legally secure interests in:

• Personal appearances
• Recording and touring projects
• Illegal use of celebrity image

Our firm has a thorough, comprehensive understanding of the laws and regulations in the State of Florida and many other states. We ensure all legal issues are in order, which saves our clients time and money by avoiding costly delays that can adversely affect a project. Mr. Quin can be reached at 813.314.4523 or via email at pquin@saxongilmore.com.

Paul Quin was a Panelist at The Sessions Event in St. Petersburg, Florida

Paul Quin was a panelist at the Sessions event held at the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College, and discussed entertainment law. Other panelists included Ray Luzier (World Touring Drummer); Chick Corea (22-Time Grammy-Winning Jazz Legend, Pianist, and Composer); Bobby Rossi (Executive Vice President of Entertainment Ruth Eckerd Hall, Capitol Theatre and Ruth Eckerd on the Road); Dom Famularo (Drumming's Global Ambassador); Christine Ohlman ("The Beehive Queen", Songwriter, and Long-Time Vocalist for the Saturday Night Live Band); Carlos Guzman (Tour Manager); and Rick Drumm (Founder and President of Traction Business Coaching and Music Industry Executive). The Sessions is geared towards educating musicians to empower them on the business side of the entertainment world.

For more information about The Sessions, go to http://thesessions.org.

Mr. Quin has spent many years as a professional drummer and remains active in the music industry. He represents a variety of entertainers, mostly within the music business, specializing in representing drummers and other sidemen in all aspects of their professional careers including band agreements, endorsements, contract drafting, negotiation and review, business plans, business formations, management, and publishing. He can be reached at 813.314.4523 or via email at pquin@saxongilmore.com.

Trademarks Can Get Complicated When Members Leave the Band

Some bands take the initial necessary steps to protect their band’s name by filing for trademark protection. Many, however, fail to think through the implications of a band break-up on ownership of the trademark. As a result, ownership rights to trademarks can get complicated.

The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida recently heard a case involving a former member of the Commodores. The band, formed in 1968, had many hits including “Easy”, “Celebrate”, and “Lady (You Bring Me Up)”. In 1984, Thomas McClary, founder and lead guitarist, left the band to pursue a solo career.

The issue of trademark ownership began to arise in 2009 when McClary formed a group and began advertising his new band as a “Commodores Reunion”. The original Commodores, although with several new members, continued to record and tour. McClary was instructed through Commodores’ counsel not to use the name Commodores, but chose not to heed the warnings and formed subsequent groups named “Commodores Featuring Thomas McClary” and “The 2014 Commodores”.

 In 2014, the remaining members of the Commodores, William King and Walter "Clyde" Orange, felt they had no other choice, but to file a trademark infringement lawsuit against McClary on behalf of the Commodores (Commodores Entertainment Corp. “CEC” vs. McClary). The court ruled that since McClary had left the band, the trademark remained with the group. The court concluded that "King and Orange made valid assignments of their ownership rights in the marks to CEC and that CEC now owns the rights to the marks.”

 Upon appeal of the trial court’s decision, the 11th Circuit ruled that McClary be allowed to reference the Commodores. For example, he can advertise “Thomas McClary, founder of the Commodores”, but he cannot use the name Commodores in his new band’s name.

Litigation is costly and full of uncertainty. All bands should execute a band agreement among the members which addresses ownership of trademarks and other intellectual property rights. Such an agreement can help avoid litigation and the costs associated with taking a claim to court.