Should I LLC My Artist Name?

Should I LLC My Artist Name?

You should LLC your artist name to get legal protection. Musicians benefit from forming an LLC to get limited liability protections and more easily resolve disputes. To prevent others from using your name, you should register it as a trademark. If you are a single artist, you will own it. If a group, ensure shared ownership.

Real Name vs Stage Name

Using real name or stage name has pros and cons. A pseudonym can reinvent yourself. Building a new persona requires communicating your identity.

Benefits of Setting Up an LLC

An LLC offers musicians limited liability protection and easier dispute resolution. The benefit of an LLC is legal protection. An LLC also needs less maintenance than corporations. Both solo musicians and groups can form an LLC. The best reason to form an LLC as a musician is protecting your personal assets from lawsuits involving your band. After forming an LLC, you could not be sued personally for a legal situation involving your band.

Forming an LLC is relatively simple. You just need to file paperwork with your state. You can usually do this online. Setting up an LLC provides benefits like favorable tax treatment and legal protections.

For most rising artists, an LLC makes the most sense over a partnership or corporation. Most bands are LLCs now. Speaking to a lawyer who specializes in music industry LLCs can provide more information.