Shane Simpson, Music Lawyer

This chapter is an interview with Shane Simpson (AM), Australia’s best-known copyright lawyer. He set up his practice in 1986 and has since acted from many of the leading artists in Australia and elsewhere. He began his career in more conventional areas of the law, coming to the bar in New Zealand in 1973, in New South Wales in 1978, and stepping down in 1986 to pursue his work in the arts. While he is perhaps best known for his work in the music business, Shane’s experience and influence extends far beyond. His first work in copyright, and an enduring area of personal interest, was in visual arts. He has extended that work into areas such as museum law, media law, information technology law, and of course music. His contributions to the Arts in general include the establishment of Australia’s first Arts Law Centre, a free service for artists who could not otherwise afford legal advice. The most striking aspect of Shane’s interview is the historical depth and detail of his legal and business knowledge.