State of Rhode Island Talent Agency Law

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 5-53, a talent agency is defined as "any person, corporation, partnership, or other business entity engaged in the business of procuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements for an artist or artists in performance arts."

In order to obtain a talent agency license in the state of Rhode Island, an applicant must file a written application with the secretary of state. The application must include:

1) The name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;

2) The name under which the applicant intends to conduct business;

3) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the officers, directors, and partners of the applicant;

4) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the owners of the applicant; and

5) Any other information that the secretary of state may require.

The application must be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee of $500. The secretary of state may deny a license to an applicant if the secretary finds that:

1) The applicant or any of its officers, directors, partners, or owners has been convicted of a felony;

2) The applicant or any of its officers, directors, partners, or owners has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude;

or

3) The issuance of a license to the applicant would be contrary to the public interest.

If the secretary of state grants a license, it shall be valid for one year and may be renewed upon payment of a renewal fee of $500. A licensed talent agency shall not:

1) Charge or receive any money or other valuable consideration from an artist for services rendered in procuring employment or engagements for the artist, unless such money or other valuable consideration is received from the party with whom the artist has been employed or engaged;

2) Solicit or accept employment or engagements for an artist by means of false or misleading statements;

3) Guarantee employment or engagements to an artist; or

4) Engage in any other unfair methods of competition or deceptive practices.

A talent agency that violates any provision of this law shall be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 for each violation. In addition, the secretary of state may revoke or suspend the license of a talent agency that violates any provision of this law.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For more information on talent agency law in Rhode Island, or to speak with an attorney about your specific situation, please contact a licensed attorney in your area.