The Old I Feed You, You Bite Me Contract?

[Preacher]

I mean is there any way to document and draw up an agreement for each song we come up with to protect me from this? I saw in a book the other day that contracts are virtually worthless. Because the person can drag you through court and cause you to run up an ungodly bill because of THEIR mischief. Even though the contract may 100% prove their guilt and your innocence.

I just want to write songs. I just want to enjoy life and music, and I just want everybody to get their share. I just want to be protected from false accusations.

I agree that anyone that helps in a song should recieve an equal share in the profits- as long as we used some of their input on the song.


Please help.

I hope a lot of you will reply. I'd like to get more than one opinion.

Thank you in advance for your kindness. .

 

[T-DESIGNER]

I am not an attorney, but you might want to do the following:

(1) copyright the lyrics you have written to prevent your lyrics
from being used without your permission, and

(2) draw-up a work-for-hire agreement, where the composer
can either (a) not be paid on the front end, but share in any
future royalties from any music that is composed and copy-
righted by you and the composer, or (b) be paid for any music
that is composed, whether used or not, but the composer
assigns 100% copyright ownership to you, or (c) a combination
of (a) and (b), or

(3) let the composer copyright the music without lyrics, and
you pay royalties to the composer for letting you use the
music with your lyrics.

An example of a "work for hire" agreement can be found
in the book "Getting Permission: How to License & Clear
Copyrighted Materials Online & Off" by Attorney Richard
Stim, which is also the author of "Music Law". The
book can be found at:

http://www.nolo.com

 

[Preacher]

Thank you!

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Let me know if you need further help.

Mr. Floum:

By the above offer, coupled with your name, firm name, address and telephone number, it appears that you are now in violation of California Rules of Professional Conduct rule 1-400.

I would respectfully request that you comply with the said Rule and its subparts.

Thank you.

IAAL

 

[HomeGuru]

Thank you IAAL and counsel.

 

[counsel]

You can prepare a contract which lists which of you owns what percentage of the copyright for each song. Such a contract is enforceable in court.

For example, the contract could provide something to the effect:

Song 1: copyright in words owned by Preacher; copyright in music owned by Neighbor.

Song 2: copyright in words and music owned by Preacher.

Song 3: copyright in words owned by Preacher; copyright in music co-owned by Preacher and Neighbor.

There are several good books on music law which you could consult.