Lawrence A. Kanusher ^‡

• Analyzed, negotiated and drafted license and sales agreements for the digital distribution of audio, video and other content across a broad spectrum of evolving digital distribution platforms and business models.
• Digital distribution matters including:
• A la carte sales of permanent audio and video downloads under wholesale and agency business models through online and mobile distribution channels, including digital download stores, CD burning kiosks and download "filling station" kiosks.
• Licenses for ad supported and subscription streams and conditional downloads through online and mobile distribution channels, including non-interactive, semi-interactive and fully interactive uses ranging from Internet radio to on-demand subscription services.
• Licenses for digital jukeboxes and background/foreground services.
• A la carte and bundled sales of mobile device personalization products such as ringtones, ringback tones and wallpaper images.
• Production, distribution and rights acquisition arrangements for "live" recording sessions featuring exclusive major label recording artists.
• Bulk sales of content for pre-loaded consumer electronics devices and third party branded and sponsored PIN code redemption programs.
• Waiver agreements for Internet radio and satellite radio programming beyond the eligibility criteria for statutory licenses.
• Licenses for recording features of consumer electronics devices designed to capture audio programming transmitted under statutory licenses.
• Developed and implemented digital distribution strategies, deal terms, policies and contract forms.
• Provided legal advice on a wide range of issues related to the digital distribution of content.
• Participated in rate setting proceedings for digital audio transmissions of copyrighted sound recordings under statutory licenses, such as Internet radio, satellite radio, pre-existing subscription services and business establishment services.
• Analyzed, negotiated and drafted technology, services and vendor agreements for content hosting and fulfillment services, digital watermark technologies, content encoding and delivery services, anti-piracy services, financial clearing services, copy protection technologies and software licenses.
• Drafted and negotiated recording agreements, employment agreements and corporate agreements.
• Drafted and negotiated music publishing agreements, including co-publishing, catalog administration, sub-publishing and collection agreements.

• Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Global Digital Business, Sony Music Entertainment, New York, NY, 2006-2011
• Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Global Digital Business, Sony Music Entertainment/Sony BMG Music Entertainment, New York, NY, 2004-2006
• Vice President, Business Affairs, New Technology & Business Development, Sony Music Entertainment, New York, NY, 2002-2004
• Director, Business Affairs, New Technology & Business Development, Sony Music Entertainment, New York, NY, 2000-2002
• Senior Counsel, Law Department, Sony Music Entertainment, New York, NY, 1997-2000
• Vice President, Business Affairs, Island Records, New York, NY, 1998-1999
• Counsel, Law Department, Sony Music Entertainment, New York, NY, 1995-1997
• Director, Business Affairs, Sony Music International, New York, NY, 1992-1995
• Attorney, Business Affairs, EMI Records USA/EMI Records Group, New York, NY, 1990-1992

• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Entertainment Law - Music, 2025
• Team Member, a Law360 “Media & Entertainment Practice Group of the Year,” 2022
• Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers^® "Law Firm of the Year" in Entertainment Law - Music, 2011-2012

A description of the selection methodology for the above awards can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.