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Posted by cryophonik on Jun-24-2008 15:47:

Label Contract Question

Hey addicts,

I am in the process of contracting my first song, which features a singer/co-writer. The song will be released as "cryophonik feat. [singer/co-writer's name]" and I will be the signer of the contract with the label. I will essentially be paying the singer a share of any earnings that I make. The label is asking for a copy of the agreement between the singer and myself. Does anybody here have any example contracts for such a situation, or know of any resources that they could point me to? Thanks!

Posted by Watts on Jun-24-2008 16:43:

I don't have a sample contract, but traditionally with bands you would divy up the amount based on work (percentage) done. You two should figure out how much the singer's work is worth and have a friend who works in law help you draft something up.

The other is to give the singer a flat-fee and call it a work for hire. In this case you own everything.

Posted by Zak McKracken on Jun-24-2008 16:49:

u could ask the label to do it for you, and also the payment, so u and ur coproducer wont have anything unsaid between u ever.

Posted by cryophonik on Jun-24-2008 17:05:

quote:
Originally posted by Watts
You two should figure out how much the singer's work is worth and have a friend who works in law help you draft something up.

We've already worked out the split. I just don't want to pay a lawyer more than we'll probably make off the song. I'm sure we can gin something up, but it's always helpful to have a template to work from.

Posted by davidbuhau on Jun-24-2008 19:23:

dude... if you have it worked out, then just simply write something up in plain english and both of you can sign it...

thats what i've done with my co-producers, per my family's lawyer's advise.

also, i have 4 separate contracts (sitting on my desk, not signed yet cuz i don't have the full press package done) for my 4 separate projects.

david

Posted by theartfulducker on Jun-25-2008 23:31:

.
quote:
The song will be released as "cryophonik feat. [singer/co-writer's name]" and I will be the signer of the contract with the label.

I think if you are signing the contract between you and the lable then the contract between you and the singer has nothing to do with them.

Posted by Storyteller on Jun-26-2008 01:13:

That really depends. You CAN make it their business. It's just another paragraph in the contract. Saves you the hassle of sharing the $ manually yourself. It means a third party (singer) has to sign the contract too though.

Posted by Ry Thomas on Jun-28-2008 17:40:

Let the label sort the finances, don't have the onus put onto you to pay the singer from your royalties, it could create all kinds of shit

Posted by zodiac9 on Jun-28-2008 22:38:

I did a remix for a friend of mine. He sent me a simple, one page contract that stated what percentage of the profit I get, and all the other legal stuff. Same could be done when working with a vocalist. In fact, that same friend I did a remix for, did several tracks with a vocalist, and I'm thinking he used the same kind of contract for that. I don't know where he found that contract though. Need to ask him sometime.

I agree with others here, let the label deal with it. That's their job. I need to be thinking about this stuff, in case I ever get to work with a vocalist.