For years, 28 year old Lou Sohn has been trying to make it as a musician. He has played bars from Maine to California, has had some songs he wrote and recorded played on college radio. And was a first round contestant on American Idol, but was cut before making it to Hollywood. He is getting ready to give up the business when a friend arranges an audition for Lou with Ashley Alan Dicker, of ADD Records, a twenty year old record label that has had a few hits, but never broken into the big time.
Lou’s audition seems to go well. Ashley called Lou up a week later and gave him the good news. “Lou, baby,” Ashley said, “I think you’ve got “IT” ADD is going to make you a big star. Who are your manager and lawyer.
Lou tells Ashley he has never had a manager or lawyer before. “That’s a good thing,” says Ashley, “they just waste time and money. Trust me baby, I will be the one looking out for you.”
standard contract
Lou can’t believe his good fortune. Ashley hands him a 15 page contract and says, “Just sign it baby. It is a standard contract. We advance the money for the recordings, we distribute, you get the first $5,000 gross income and then we split everything down the middle .” Ashley hands Lou a shiny gold pen. Lou hesitates. “What’s the matter baby?” Ashley asks. “Well, honestly, I am broke,” says Lou, “Is it possible to get any money up front?’
Ashley pulls out his checkbook. “I like you baby, we are going to do great things. Sign right now and I will give you a $500 advance.” That was all Lou needed to hear. He didn’t even read the contract, he just signed it on the spot.
Lou recorded his first CD for ADD, “Out of My Cave.” It got some alternative rock air play, but never caught on with Itunes. After six months, total sales were only $8,500. Lou wasn’t thrilled, but still, he could use the money. He wrote to ADD and asked for his $5,000 in first royalties plus 50% of the remaining $3,500 for a total of $6,750. ADD’s accounting department responded by sending him a bill:
INVOICE
Recording costs
Studio time $ 3,700
Engineers $ 2,700
Producer advance $ 5,000
Total Recording costs $ 11,400
Promotion costs $ 3,700
Total Costs $15,100
Less credit for sales $ 6,750
TOTAL BALANCE DUE $ 8,350
The hottest movie this summer is the block buster super hero film “The White Knight Ascends.” Lou goes to see it and is shocked to find that “Out of My Cave” is played several times in the movie. It appears ADD licensed Lou’s song to the film for $100,000. When Lou calls ADD to ask about it, he is told that all the licensing money belongs to ADD.
Lou comes to you asking for help. He brings his contract with him. By now he has tried to read it, but cannot make heads or tails of it. In looking it over, you see that some of the relevant provisions are as follows:
“17 C – Sohn agrees to pay, or to reimburse ADD, for all recording costs including, without limitation, all costs related to the use of the studio, hiring of engineers and producers, and all promotion costs.”
“41 F – Sohn grants ADD all rights to the songs written by artist and the Master recordings of such songs as are included on any recordings produced pursuant to this agreement. Without limitation, this shall include the right to license such masters and underlying songs for use in motion pictures. And Sohn hereby waives any claim to the income from such license”
What can Lou do (with your help, of course)? Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of his case.
