Intellectual property
Matthew Finkelstein leads ArentFox Schiff ‘s music and copyright practices, with a client list that includes household names. Finkelstein’s is experienced in the entertainment industry, advising on drafting and negotiating transactions as well as regulations including the Mechanical Licensing Collective and the Music Modernization Act. This includes cross-border deals, with his practice also spanning other industries, including technology, book publishing, and art, as well as matters in the food and beverage sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Boston Elite
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Trademark
Position
Partner
Career
Matt has overseen and handled transactions exceeding $1 billion, focusing on copyrights and other intellectual property rights. The core of Matt's practice includes the music, entertainment, technology, media, and publishing industries. His practice includes general copyright counseling to businesses in connection with the creation, ownership, licensing, and use of works of authorship (e.g., musical compositions, sound recordings, books, computer programs, movies, paintings, and photographs). As part of this work, Matt advises clients on developments in the copyright law, such as in respect of the Music Modernization Act and regulations implementing the Mechanical Licensing Collective.
He also has experience in book publishing deals, technology and software development, licensing, and procurement transactions for national and international businesses, assisting creators (e.g., songwriters and recording artists) and their families with recapturing US copyrights, and representing buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of recorded music catalogs, music publishing catalogs, and related royalty streams.
Matt has been recognized for his notable work by several leading organizations, including Billboard Top Music Lawyer, Chambers Top Ranked, and Super Lawyers.
Memberships
Mat is a member of the following organizations:
American Bar Association (Intellectual Property Section), New York State Bar Association) Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law, and Intellectual Property Sections,) and the Association of Independent Music Publishers; The Copyright Society of the USA.
Education
St. John’s University School of Law, JD
Union College, BA
Content supplied by ArentFox Schiff
Key clients
- Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
- Shake Shack
- Wise Music Group
- The Pointer Sisters
- Sussman Education Company, Inc
- BMG
Work highlights
Represented Rolling Stones in a landmark victory for songwriters and their families and created a change in federal regulation.
Represented Wise Music group in the sale of their digital education division to a private equity firm.
Advising on Shake Shack's worldwide trademarks portfolio and served as Global IP Counsel to help the company expand in IP mostly in copyright and trademarks.