We have drawn up a set of the standard contracts that record labels use on a regular basis, and which form the backbone of your business. The contracts use traditional label contract wording where appropriate, but have been updated where necessary to reflect the latest legal and commercial developments.
Recording Contract (profit share)
A contract to engage the exclusive recording services of an artist in return for the payment of a share of net reciepts. You specify how net receipts are calculated. The artist is engaged for one fixed period plus your choice of option periods, and must deliver one album per period. The artist assigns copyright in the recordings to you in perpetuity (to the extent owned by the artist). You can specify your release commitment and the remedies for non-release. There is provision for the payment of advances if agreed, and you select the profit share. You can determine how controlled compositions are treated in North America, and there are leaving member provisions. The contract contains standard accounting and audit rights, warranties, indemnities, termination rights and the appropriate boilerplate.
Recording Contract (royalty points)
A contract to engage the exclusive recording services of an artist in return for the payment of royalties. The artist is engaged for one fixed period plus your choice of option periods, and must deliver one album per period. The artist assigns copyright in the recordings to you in perpetuity (to the extent owned by the artist). You can specify your release commitment and the remedies for non-release. There is provision for the payment of advances if agreed, and you select the royalties payable. You can determine how controlled compositions are treated in North America, and there are leaving member provisions. The contract contains standard accounting and audit rights, warranties, indemnities, termination rights, and the appropriate boilerplate.
Producer Contract
A contract to engage a producer to produce for an album. You can choose the consideration payable: any combination of a production fee, an advance and a royalty. The contract contains a standard assignment of copyright and all performers' rights, and accounting and audit rights, controlled composition provisions, warranties, indemnities, termination rights, and the appropriate boilerplate.
Master Use Licence
A multi-purpose master use licence that can be used for synchronisation in any type of production, whether a film, TV programme, computer game, advertisement or other. A wide or narrow range of rights can be granted, and you choose the licensed term, territory and the credit to be given. In the boilerplate you can select your preferred termination and assignment provisions.
Compilation Licence
A short form licence for the licensing of a track for a compilation. You can specify all the licence terms, the amount of the royalty and how it is paid. The contract contains in short form accounting and audit rights, warranties, indemnities, termination rights, and the appropriate boilerplate.
Catalogue Licence
A long form contract under which you license your catalogue or parts of your catalogue to an overseas licensee in return for a share of net receipts. You can specify exactly which rights are granted and which are reserved, and any restrictions you want to place on the licensee. You can determine your share of net receipts and the basis of payment, and you have full audit rights. The contract contains standard accounting provisions, warranties, indemnities, termination rights, and the appropriate boilerplate.
Sample Licence
A short form licence for granting sample rights in return for either a share of the copyright in the resulting song, or sample fees, or both. The contract contains in short form accounting and audit rights, warranties, indemnities, termination rights, and the appropriate boilerplate.
Performer Release
A short letter agreement for obtaining a buyout of rights to a performer's services on a one-off basis.
NDA (unilateral)
A comprehensive non-disclosure agreement for use when you are disclosing confidential information to a third party and you require the party to keep the information confidential.
NDA (mutual)
A comprehensive non-disclosure agreement for use when you and a third party are mutually disclosing confidential information and you each require the other to keep the information confidential.