Kurt Dahl

Biography description

Kurt Dahl is a Partner in Miller Thomson’s Entertainment and Media Group and a leading Canadian entertainment and intellectual property lawyer. He maintains a national practice and is called to the bar in British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Kurt represents artists, songwriters, producers, record labels, music publishers, managers, filmmakers, production companies, creators, influencers, technology companies and other entertainment-industry stakeholders across Canada and internationally. His practice spans music, film, television, digital media, intellectual property and emerging technologies.

Kurt regularly advises on sophisticated entertainment transactions involving recording and distribution agreements, music publishing and administration agreements, management and representation agreements, producer and collaboration agreements, licensing and synchronization, music catalogue and master sales and acquisitions, talent agreements, film and television development and production, copyright, corporate structuring and the ownership and commercial exploitation of intellectual property. He also advises clients on emerging legal and commercial issues involving artificial intelligence and the entertainment industry, including AI-generated music and content, synthetic voices, deepfakes, copyright, personality rights and the protection and licensing of an artist’s name, image, likeness and voice.

Kurt brings an unusual depth of firsthand industry experience to his legal practice. Before focusing exclusively on law, he spent approximately two decades as a professional recording and touring musician. As the drummer for Canadian rock band One Bad Son, Kurt recorded and released multiple albums, achieved several nationally charting singles, including No. 1 songs, toured extensively and performed alongside artists including The Rolling Stones, Def Leppard and Shinedown. That experience gives Kurt a practical understanding of the business realities facing artists and entertainment companies. Having personally experienced recording agreements, management relationships, touring, royalties, licensing and the development of a professional music career, he approaches entertainment matters from both a legal and commercial perspective. His advice is particularly focused on protecting ownership, revenue participation, creative control and the long-term value of his clients’ intellectual property and businesses.

Kurt’s combination of legal experience, industry knowledge and firsthand experience as a professional artist allows him to provide practical, strategic advice to clients at every stage of their careers and businesses, from emerging creators and entrepreneurs to established artists, rights-holders and entertainment companies.