Threatened / Forced to sign departure contract with music band

[audioultimate]

Earlier this summer, I was forced to quit the music band I was in with two other individuals. I was the main songwriter and producer for the band. My personal schedule conflicted with band schedule so it was probable that I would have to leave the band out of respect for their future. Arriving to a meeting to put the finishing touches on a song (might I add that it took about two hours of my time) they then asked me if I'd like to quit or be fired from the band. I was a little surprised by how blunt they were but nonetheless, I asked to quit. They handed me over a paper to sign saying I would only get writing credit in the band and no financial gain whatsoever! Of course I told them I'd like a entertainment lawyer to look over it first. At that point I was threatened to sign it by one of the members (a death threat). I was so shocked and worried that I just signed it so I could get out of there. Since then, I've let the matter diffuse as I didn't want anymore threats or harm done to myself or family.

What options do I have at this point? The record has been recorded and ready to be put out on a well known record label. Should I consult with an entertainment lawyer ASAP? There was a witness to the duress claim but I'm not sure if he'd tell the truth about what he had saw. It is possible I can get it written though via email. I put in a lot of work for this band and really shaped their identity. I feel I deserve what I put in to it. I paid for the registration of the band name in our county, had a joint business bank account, released a previous album with them (no royalties collected on that either!) etc...so proof does exist of my partnership in the band. No police report was filed and no defamation or ill words have been spoken about either party. I've tried to put this behind me but the one thing that eats away at me is that someone else is getting my fair share.

Any help would be incredible. I just feel a bit stuck right now and wanted a little advice before I went to an entertainment lawyer. Thanks for reading!

 

[BigMouthWino]

Perhaps you should wait and see how the record does before you waste any money on an entertainment lawyer. You may find the writing credit to be more valuable than anything you've written.

 

[quincy]

I suggest you have the "departure contract" reviewed by an attorney. This personal review will be necessary to determine if you have legally and effectively signed away all of your rights in the works you created or helped to create.

Because you did not report the "death threat," I doubt that any claims of being coerced into signing the document will fly.

In the future, make sure all terms of a partnership or collaboration agreement are spelled out in advance in a written document for all parties to sign, and then do not sign anything without knowing exactly what you are signing and without agreeing to the terms as written. Also, in the future, report death threats to the police.