Is it illegal to have a website that teaches tips on how to play like a specific musician?
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Is it illegal to have a website that teaches tips on how to play like a specific musician?
I’m planning on putting up a video teaching tips on how to play like a specific semi-famous drummer. I want to market on Facebook Pay-per-click “tips on how to play like this drummer” to people who like this artist in my area. The ultimate goal is to build credibility so they might decide to take private lessons with me. Is this illegal?
Asked on May 24, 2012 under Business Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It is legal so long as you do not use the musician's image without his or her permission, do not suggest any affiliation with or endorsement by the musician, do not suggest any factual untruths (e.g. that you played or trained with the musician, if you did not), and do not violate any intellectual property of his or hers--e.g. if the band's name is trademarked, don't use the band's name in the advertisement, marketing, etc.
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