On 28 Feb 2002 at 15:39, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Dear Kate, > > Thanks so much for forwarding this article. I am learning more and > more. So now, even though the RAC's cause is a good one, it will only > benefit 2% of the artist population. Their desire to make the record > labels comply with California's law to limit contracts to seven years > will seem to only benefit those already signed to long term contracts.
I think it will also benefit those who haven't yet signed a long term contract or any contract for that matter. No one can really anticipate what the future will bring when an artist makes that deal. Yet under the typical new artist contract today the artist is locked into those terms for seven albums, with the label having the option to continue putting out records or not. Also, the seven year statute exception doesn't really effect people like Henley and Crow because they have had enough success that they are not forced to sign those types of deals. Most artists of their stature are doing deals for two albums not seven, and some of them can do licensing deals so the master rights revert back to them after 5 or 10 years. However, I think his point is well taken that next up on the agenda has got to be issues like health insurance and retirement. As far as fair royalties, I think success with the seven year exception will only strengthen the position of the artist community for collective bargaining. Brenda n.p.: Groovetech London
