Primary Wave Acquires Gasoline Alley’s Publishing and Master Royalty Stream, including Hits by Sublime

Primary Wave has acquired the music publishing and master royalty streams of Gasoline Alley, Inc. The deal encompasses Gasoline Alley's joint venture with Universal Music Publishing Group, which includes works from Gasoline Alley signees such as ska punk band Sublime. Sublime rose to fame in the mid-1990’s with hits "Santeria," "Badfish," "Wrong Way" and "Doin' Time." The agreement also includes Shai's 1992 R&B single "If I Ever Fall In Love."

Lisa Alter Named to Billboard’s 2020 “Power List”

Lisa Alter has been named to Billboard’s 2020 “Power List”, an honor reserved for top figures who have played influential roles in the global music industry.

Primary Wave Acquires a Majority Stake in Donny Hathaway’s Estate

In a new partnership with Donny Hathaway's Estate, Primary Wave Music Publishing has acquired a majority ownership interest in the soul legend's music publishing catalog and artist master royalty stream. Donny Hathaway was recently honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and is known for his iconic hits including "The Ghetto," "Someday We’ll All Be Free," "Love, Love, Love”, and the holiday classic, “This Christmas.”

Lisa Alter Quoted in Hollywood Reporter “Year Ender” – “Content Clashes and the Netflix Effect: Hollywood Lawyers Discuss the Decade Ahead”

Lisa Alter was recently quoted in Ashley Cullins’ Hollywood Reporter article “Content Clashes and the Netflix Effect: Hollywood Lawyers Discuss the Decade Ahead.” Lisa, among several other prominent attorneys, shares her thoughts on the most significant legal events of the past decade, and what to look out for in the 2020s.

Billboard Names Lisa Alter and Jacqueline Charlesworth in “Women In Music” 2019 Top Executives

Lisa Alter and Jacqueline Charlesworth have been honored by Billboard’s “Women In Music” as two of the most powerful executives in the industry. Each year, the list celebrates top industry leaders, veterans, and upcoming talents. Jacqueline was also profiled in the 2019 "Women In Music Hall Of Fame Executives” list.

Alter Kendrick & Baron Files Amicus Brief for Songwriters

Alter Kendrick & Baron is proud to have filed this brief with the DC Circuit urging higher pay for songwriters.

Lisa Alter Speaks with CNBC on Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records Feud

Lisa Alter offers insight on the legal issues at play in the dispute between Taylor Swift and her former label, Big Machine Label Group, including what is customary regarding recording agreements and the impact social media has on the issue.

Senior Motion Picture Attorney and Rising Litigator Join Alter Kendrick & Baron

November 13, 2019, New York, NY – Copyright and music boutique Alter Kendrick & Baron has added senior intellectual property attorney Dean Marks and litigator Jennine Nwoko to serve its growing roster of entertainment industry clients.

Marks, a respected expert on copyright and digital rights, previously served as Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief, Global Content Protection for the Motion Picture Association of America ("MPAA"). At MPAA, Marks headed a global team to safeguard film and television content from piracy on behalf of the major Hollywood studios. Prior to that, Marks held senior in-house roles at Warner Bros. and Time Warner.

Nwoko’s practice focuses on copyright law, with an emphasis on music. She handles both litigation and transactional matters for music clients. Prior to joining AKB, Nwoko helped litigate cases on behalf of several Fortune 500 companies at a national law firm. She has also worked at an artist development company and represented artists in deals with major record labels.

“We are thrilled to have Dean and Jennine join our firm,” says Lisa Alter. AKB partner Jacqueline Charlesworth adds: “What a privilege it is to be working with Dean, with his tremendous expertise in intellectual property issues, and Jennine, whose music and litigation capabilities will be invaluable to our team.”

Alter Kendrick & Baron is at the forefront of music copyright law, handling both litigation matters and complex transactions involving significant music assets. The firm also advises on matters involving film, software and other types of intellectual property.

Primary Wave Acquires Rights to Bob Ezrin Portfolio

In a new deal, Primary Wave Music Publishing will acquire the music publishing and other rights of legendary producer, arranger and songwriter Bob Ezrin. Ezrin has worked with a multitude of classic artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Andrea Bocelli, and more; and has produced several number one albums, including Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Andrea Boccelli’s Sí.

Lisa Alter Quoted in Washington Post on Lizzo Plagiarism Accusations

Lisa Alter was recently quoted in Bethonie Butler’s Washington Post article “Who wrote Lizzo’s ‘Truth Hurts’? Breaking down the complicated songwriter drama.” The article discusses recent plagiarism claims that accuse Lizzo of borrowing the hit song’s “DNA test" lyric from a viral tweet. According to Lisa, copyright protection may extend to tweets “to the extent that what’s being tweeted constitute original work of authorship”.

Primary Wave Acquires Stake in Styx Frontman Tommy Shaw’s Music Publishing Catalog and Master Artist Royalties

Primary Wave Music Publishing is acquiring a stake in Tommy Shaw’s music publishing catalog and master artist royalties. Shaw’s catalog includes several Styx hits such as “Renegade” “Fooling Yourself” and “Too Much Time On My Hands”, as well as solo projects and songs from his former groups Damn Yankees and Shaw Blades.

Jacqueline Charlesworth Quoted in Bloomberg News on ‘Stairway to Heaven’ Infringement Lawsuit

Jacqueline Charlesworth was recently quoted in Edvard Pettersson’s Bloomberg News article “‘Stairway to Heaven’ Judges Asked to Give Songwriters a Break.” The article details the growing epidemic of lawsuits claiming infringement of well-known songs. Jacqueline explained that there are “a lot of unsettled issues” in music copyright law, citing the “Stairway to Heaven” case as a prime example. “The Ninth Circuit recognized the significance of the ruling and the impact it had on the music industry,” says Jacqueline. “The industry doesn’t want artists and songwriters to live in fear of infringement lawsuits.”