Professional Experience
Mr. Custer's practice focuses on all aspects of the music industry, including the negotiation of a wide variety of music related contracts and advising clients as to intellectual property rights in the context of the music business.
Mr. Custer has provided these services for bands, recording artists, producers, songwriters, record companies, music publishing companies, film production companies, performing rights societies, music industry trade organizations and various Internet and new media companies.
Memberships & Activities
Admitted to practice in California. Admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California.
Member, American Bar Association, Intellectual Property section; Forum On The Entertainment And Sports Industries.
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Intellectual Property section.
Member, California Copyright Conference.
Associate Member, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "Rights Of Termination And The Music Business - Sound Recording Copyrights," State Bar Of Texas 21st Annual Entertainment Law Institute, Austin, TX, October 20, 2011.
Speaker, "Music Rights Terminators - They'll Be Back," Los Angeles Copyright Society, Beverly Hills, CA, April 14, 2010.
Speaker, "Art Of The Music Deal -- Artist Management Agreements," National Association of Record Industry Professionals Program, Hollywood, CA, March 28, 2008.
Speaker, "Music Art: Rights and Licensing," South by Southwest Music and Media Conference, Austin, Texas, March 17, 2006.
Speaker, "Rights - Who Gets What? Untangling Rights on the Web," Webnoize '99 Conference and Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA, November 15, 1999.
Speaker, "Avoiding Future Shock - Negotiating And Clearing Home Entertainment Rights For The 21st Century," Los Angeles County Bar Association/Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Section symposium, Los Angeles, CA, November 6, 1999.
Speaker, "How Will Digital Downloads Affect You The Artist?" Digital Distribution and the Music Industry Conference and Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA, September 8, 1999.
Speaker, "eCommerce: Strategies for Success in the Digital Economy," Practising Law Institute Program, San Francisco, CA, August 20, 1999.