Don't want to get screwed, please advice on label release without contract

[lessonsinlaw]

Hello everybody, somebody is offering me to release an EP of my music on his label which means I have to provide a master CD that gets manufactured in the plant and contains the name of the label and a catalogue number of the release.

However, there'll be no contract.

What's the legal situation like?

I don't want to get screwed.

PLEASE HELP me with advice, I am a novice

[Recycled_Brains]

Originally Posted by lessonsinlaw

I don't want to get screwed.

GET IT IN WRITING. and then have a lawyer look it over, then negotiate what you don't like about it, then GET IT IN WRITING again.

i had a label approach my band this same way. we said we wanted a contract, he said "fine, write one yourself". so we did. it's all in our favor.

-ryan

[dbbubba]

You need a contract for everything.
If money is going to change hands anywhere you need a contract to spell out the way things are intended to work.
Who gets what.
Who is responsible for what, etc...

Anyone that presents themselves as a "label" should know this.
If he doesn't then that is bad.
If he DOES then it is plain SCAREY!

You can research contracts online and find one or you could write up one between yourselves that you both find equitable.
Just know what you are stating and asking for.

[BLUElightCory]

You NEED a contract. Don't move forward without one. The potential for getting screwed over with no contract is huge, and there are all sorts of potential legal problems and conflicts that could arise without one. Agree on some terms and pay an attorney a couple hundred bucks to put it into writing.

PLEASE don't move forward with no contract.

Cory Spotts

[andygomez]

if you move forward with no contract you might as well shoot yourself in the foot

[dbbubba]

DON'T PROCEED UNTIL THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED.

You can use the contract as a tool to see how interested he is in using your material.
Hold his feet to the fire and see how anxious he is to get it written and signed.

If he is indifferent about the contract then he is probebly not that good of a business person and the whole thing might not be worth your while.
He could also be indifferent and waiting for your neglect in order to maximize his returns.

You just don't do this typ of stuff without conracts that spell EVERYTHING out in common legal language.

[lessonsinlaw]

OK

Thanks everybody for those first responses!!!!!


More replies hugely appreciated!

[enroper]

Does this "label" work out of some kid's basement? I'd be weary. very weary.

Theres lots of people out there running scams, offering to "sign" people.

Just give us your music....oh and we need some cash..from you.

I'm sure plenty of unfortunate kids fall for it.

[PhilE]

Get a contract in place. And check out the label and the guys running it as much as you can.
The fact that they want to do it without a contract is hazy. The more trustworthy the label seems the more likely they are willing to screw you- seems counter intuitive but in my experience until you have known people a while you have to treat everyone as dodgy. Equally dont just assume any contract is good. Get a lawyer to check it too, take the hassle now it will be much worse further down the line.

[mikecorwin]

What's he offering to do that you can't do yourself? Research the business some, and hustle your own release. That way you keep all of your publishing and profit from cd sales. Especially if you aren't already huge in your hometown...most likely (if there's any distribution) your cd's will get put on a warehouse shelf and sent back to you in a few months when they don't sell. There are good times to sign with a label, and other times that just don't make any sense. If you think that you are at the point where you've done as much as you could do by yourself and need that extra help, then GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING!