Law & contracts
As a starter you get to deal with all sorts of legal affairs: you need to sign contracts with your client of employer, you have to register your business at the Chamber of commerce. And when you are at work you van get involved in an accident. Make sure you inform yourself well on legal affairs.
Work and contracts: labour law
Many regulations over which you have no influence apply to work, such as the minimum wage for employees and the obligation to abide by the safety at work regulations. Whether you work as a freelance, self-employed entrepreneur, employee, apprentice or volunteer, you have to deal with labour law.
If you regularly do a variety of jobs, it may be unclear whether you are in employment or accept assignments, in other words, whether you are an employee or work as a freelance or self-employed entrepreneur. Make sure that it is clear in your case, that way you avoid harming both parties.
Read more about work and contractsForms of enterprise
If you carry out assignments as a freelance or self-employed entrepreneur, you always do so in a certain form of enterprise, such as a one-man business, foundation or limited company. It is easy to find out which form of enterprise is the most appropriate in your situation.
It may also be important to know in which form of enterprise your employer or principal operates. In the event of (financial) problems, that legal status may have consequences for your position.
Copyright
What rights do you have to your work with respect to copyright? Does it make any difference whether you are in employment or accept assignments? What rights apply to creative artists? Which rights apply to performing artists?
What copyrights of other parties may affect you? Are there other issues to take into account for music than for art? Which copyright organisations are there, and what do they do for you as a maker or user?
Liability and legal problems
Legal problems cost time and money and destroy relations. The more you can avoid them the better. How can you deal with legal problems without throwing away your rights? How can you limit your liability? There are various bodies that offer legal advice. Make sure that you have an adequate grasp of the basic principles of the Dutch legal system. That way you can ask the right questions if problems do arise, and you will receive better advice.
