Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Recording Artists Should Be Careful When Signing Record Deals
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: January 27, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
For many recording artists, the ultimate goal is signing a record deal with one of the major record labels.
However, it is important that these musicians seek the assistance of an entertainment attorney to ensure there are no clauses that could hurt their careers.
Singer-songwriter, JoJo, recently endured a battle with her label that prevented her from releasing her third studio album. Her debut was released in 2004, and her sophomore record hit stores in 2006, but she hasn’t been able to put out an album since.
To avoid a similar situation, recording artists should understand all the language that comes with major label deals. For one, most record contracts come with exclusivity, which means that an artist signs on to only make music for the label unless granted permission to do otherwise.
Another major aspect of a record deal is the term. This is represents the duration of the contract. For example, a record label may give an artist a three album deal that comes with 12 months to record each album.
The Issue
The part of the contract that led to JoJo’s troubles is the release commitment. When signing a deal, labels generally provide an artist with a commitment to release a certain number of albums. If a recording artist signs a deal that requires them to release four albums before being released from their contract, then that is what has to be done. JoJo probably could have benefited from more specific language in this part of her contract that put a timeline of when her albums would be released.
JoJo is now out of her contract with the label, and so it will be interesting to see how this ordeal will impact future negotiations.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Failing to Comply With NJ Rent Control Exemption May Prove Costly
What Developers Need to Know About New Jersey’s Rent Control Exemption Law to Ensure Entitlement to Exemption for Newly Constructed Multi-family Housing. A property owner in Jersey City is facing a $400 million federal class action lawsuit alleging that the landlord did not follow the procedural steps required to be eligible for exemption from local […]
Author: Patrick T. Conlon
Crypto Securities Law: When Tokens Become Investment Contracts
The application of traditional federal securities laws to crypto assets continues to evolve. In some cases, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers tokens and other digital assets to be securities. This makes them subject to federal securities law, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This classification has […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
The Due Diligence Process for NY Condominiums and Cooperatives
While the New York City real estate market can be extremely competitive, moving too quickly often backfires. Before purchasing a condominium or cooperative in New York City, it is important to do you homework. Purchasing property in NYC can involve a dizzying number of legal issues. These include condo and co-op rules, rent restrictions, and […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
Smart Contract Legal Issues: Drafting Agreements for Blockchain
Smart contracts feature a unique blend of legal agreement and technical code. This innovation has the potential to reshape how business is conducted. At the same time, smart contract legal issues around enforceability, jurisdiction, identity, and compliance are common. The legal framework for these self-executing agreements is still evolving. What Are Smart Contracts? Smart contracts, […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Are Stay Interviews the Key to Retaining Top Talent?
Retaining top talent continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing employers today. Even in an employer’s market, the loss of a key employee can disrupt operations and result in significant costs. While compensation plays a role, long-term retention often depends on workplace culture, communication, and employee engagement. One increasingly popular strategy for improving […]
Author: Angela A. Turiano
Why Secured Transactions Are Important
Secured transactions form the backbone of a wide range of business dealings, including business loans, mortgages, and inventory financing. Because the stakes are often high and relatively minor oversights can have drastic consequences, lenders and borrowers should thoroughly understand how to form an enforceable security agreement that protects their legal rights. What Is a Secured […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.