Keeping my rights

[beats18]

I am going to be giving some beats to an artist that is on an offical label. How do I keep exclusive rights and all my publishing? If the record sells i want to get paid. How to i get publishing rights and such?


Thanks
Big Beats

 

[Honesty]

You don't get them, you already have them. You have to draw up a contract stating exactly what you want. You own 50% of the song, make sure that's in their. I don't recommend using any "standard" contracts. Enlist the help of an Ent. Lawyer, they will be able to draw up a contract, even negotiate for what's in your best interest...

 

[beats18]

Dont ent lawyers run alot of money? And how can I find a well connected lawyer. I live in CT but I would like to get one out on NYC.

 

[Honesty]

Why do you want one out of NYC? Not being cynical/sarcastic, but a lawyer is a lawyer. Are they expensive? No, you can find one that works on flat rate charges...and also..if you're dealing w/ an "official label" why let a few hundred stand between you and a few thousand...

 

[beats18]

Because most of the bigger record companies only take demos and such from lawyers they know or have a good relationship with. Thats the only reason i said that.

 

[Honesty]

Understand that though NY is the biggest, it isn't the only city w/ major ent. lawyers... Jadakiss's management is right here in Philly (J. Erving). Black Friday, everybody from the Roc's management except for Jig and M. Bleek, is right here in philly...I could go on. That said, I wouldn't expect to find a major guy from Northa Dakota, but if you're in a major city, LA, Philly, Chicago, ATL, Wash. D.C., there are great lawyers. They're hard to find, but once you find them, they could be your best friend...

 

[beats18]

I agree. In my situation, being from Connecticut, the closest major cities are boston and NYC. So i just figure NYC is the best for me. Thanks for the info. My only problem is finding a lawyer that REALLY has the connections and is not just leading me on to get the money.

 

[Honesty]

Take a trip to their office, ask for references from other people, most won't ask for money up front, they'll simply take their percentage of every sale so it's not all about money.

 

[pirell]

Because most of the bigger record companies only take demos and such from lawyers they know or have a good relationship with. Thats the only reason i said that.

a record companys ONLY aim to exist, is ot make money. i dont see why if ur beats/demo is hot enough that they will ONLY take it from a lawyer they know. you shouldnt have a lawyer thats in 'good relationship' with a record company in the first place, cos that constitutes a conflict of interest between the lawyer and yourself, and his position with the record company. not saying you need jonnie cochran, but why get a lawyer thats buddys with the record company,when he can stitch you over?

 

[Deca]

well what i read is that as long as you have a lawyer who knows and specialises in copyrights and music bizness, your ok. He doesnt have to be known everywere , just compentent.

 

[Honesty]

actually...beats18 was correct...companies only accept packages from people they have a relationship with. If they took demos from everyone, they'd need an entire warehouse just to house demos and a complete staff to listen to them...Ent. attorneys have all the power in this game...they control which A n R's get which artist, attorneys link up this producer w/ this unsigned artist...

 

[Deca]

man that just makes it harder and harder to move in the biz.
but i meant that if your already in, you dont need to have THERE favorite lawyer.

actually...beats18 was correct...companies only accept packages from people they have a relationship with. If they took demos from everyone, they'd need an entire warehouse just to house demos and a complete staff to listen to them...Ent. attorneys have all the power in this game...they control which A n R's get which artist, attorneys link up this producer w/ this unsigned artist...