Bit of business advice....?

Black Lion · (#1 (**permalink**))

A friend of mine is looking to start up a promotions company by the name of, Impulse Media Promotions Ltd (prehaps sole trader). Thing is we're stumped about a law issue.

Part of the idea involves handing out or promoting music artists work for free to introduce them to music they may not see on I-Tunes/Limewire or hear on MTV Base. Was hoping to hand out CDs of poetry recordings, singles and what not but aren't sure about the legality of doing so.... would we need the artists consent? No one is buying the product, its being given away not profited from (advertantly). Was hoping to simply record it, prehaps inform the artist where possible and distribute it for them.

Is this legal?

Also does anyone know much about Promotional work in the entertainment industry in general and what do you all think of the name, ''Impulse Media Promotions'', 'Impulse' for short...

Got the idea after seeing the popularity of a package we put together, people were picking them up on Impulse.

Bit cheesy but what do you think?

Thanks
That Black Lion

Dada · (#2 (**permalink**))

Check your PM

Maat · (#3 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Lion

A friend of mine is looking to start up a promotions company by the name of, Impulse Media Promotions Ltd (prehaps sole trader). Thing is we're stumped about a law issue.

Part of the idea involves handing out or promoting music artists work for free to introduce them to music they may not see on I-Tunes/Limewire or hear on MTV Base. Was hoping to hand out CDs of poetry recordings, singles and what not but aren't sure about the legality of doing so.... would we need the artists consent? No one is buying the product, its being given away not profited from (advertantly). Was hoping to simply record it, prehaps inform the artist where possible and distribute it for them.

Is this legal?

Also does anyone know much about Promotional work in the entertainment industry in general and what do you all think of the name, ''Impulse Media Promotions'', 'Impulse' for short...

Got the idea after seeing the popularity of a package we put together, people were picking them up on Impulse.

Bit cheesy but what do you think?

Thanks
That Black Lion

Hey Black Lion,

Forgive me in advance if Dada has already said what I have. Not sure about promotion in the music industry but I'm thinking that you may need to back track a bit with what you plan to do.

If your name includes Ltd that means that your business will be registered with Companies House to make it official. It means that your company has the intention to become incorprated - bascially you want to make money. If you wanted the idea to be a charitable one as it seems, then maybe a charity is all it needs to be. You'd still need to register it with the Charities Commission if it was to operate in this way. As a sole trader you have more freedom and it may also be an option to give the idea a trial run to see if it will work in practise.

Your idea sounds good but I can't see how you are going to make money. You need to do this to keeo it going. For example if you do distribute the CD's how are you going to pay for the cases, artwork, CD's themselves, recording equipment, recording time etc. Also what about the artists time?? They will need to get some form of pay even if it starts off as freebies. Correct me if I'm wrong but it also sounds like you will be doing the artist a favour to promote their talents as well.

Some other things have you written a business plan, have you considered how much money you will need to start with? Do you have enough time to put your ideas into practicse and keep it running consistently?

I do like the reason behind the name but the word reminded me of the ladies body spray! I wouldn't necessarily scrap it but perhpas decide on a catch phrase/slogan that could go with it to highlight what you do.

Just some initial thoughts on this. Although it's been a while since you posted this, how's it going anyway?

Black Lion · (#4 (**permalink**))

Sent you a PM.

Not sure if I want to make it Limited or not... too much paper work, the only reason I would would be to keep the name.

Let me know what you think.

HTP
DL

Maat · (#5 (**permalink**))

PM's are in your mail box now but to quickly touch on the name thing. You can check out companies house website for existing names to see if yours is there WITHOUT having to register the company. If it isn't then you're nice

Black Lion · (#6 (**permalink**))

The name has been taken but as they're not in the same business I'm simply adding to it, rather than Impulse Promotions I'll just add ''media'' in the middle and use that.

IMPULSE MEDIA PROMOTIONS

Will have a logo made with just Impulse Media and voila.

Dada · (#7 (**permalink**))

As mentioned. It's less about the company name and more about the trade mark. The trade mark grants you intellectual property rights.

Although the company registeration might be cheaper. To register a trademark gives you better protection all round, for only £200.00.

If I register your name Impulse Media Promotions as a trade mark, I will have the right to stop your company from using that name or similar. The reverse is not so certain.

In business, if somebody see your name and likes it then registers it unless you have an iron case (i.e already a trade mark) or deep pockets for litigation you will lose out to other people taking your ideas.

Maat · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dada

As mentioned. It's less about the company name and more about the trade mark. The trade mark grants you intellectual property rights.

Although the company registeration might be cheaper. To register a trademark gives you better protection all round, for only £200.00.

If I register your name Impulse Media Promotions as a trade mark, I will have the right to stop your company from using that name or similar. The reverse is not so certain.

In business, if somebody see your name and likes it then registers it unless you have an iron case (i.e already a trade mark) or deep pockets for litigation you will lose out to other people taking your ideas.

Thanks for that Dada. I've often wondered how the trademark thing worked.

@Black Lion: Must be careful though about how much you reveal on here. There's always some likkle jingis waiting to teef ideas. Lazyitis is a serious disease!