Opinions: Song contest rules unfair?

[James Steele]

You know, this doesn't need to get out of hand. And my original point somewhere along the line was just that I thought it was bunk for them to TRY to get the winner to assign the copyright. There's nothing legally prohibiting me from agreeing to a bad deal, so the point is not to agree to it. This contest by the way has come and gone and I suspect they missed out on a lot of good entries due to the onerous rules.

[mikehalloran]

It's much simpler than that.

1) Win the contest.

2) Have an entertainment lawyer write a letter pointing out the rules that cannot be enforced. There will be no negotiations or other such nonsense. You have certain rights that cannot be taken away and the right letter will point this out. This letter will apply to any potential winner and the contest holder will know that.

3) You would get your performance royalties (which broadcast pays through your PRO) and mechanicals if they exist (not likely) and give up all other control - it's still their contest, after all.

4) After a period of time, all rights would revert back to you or your estate. It cannot be a work for hire unless they pay you for the work before you do it.

5) Ignore most of the advice you have read on this thread. Well meaning though it is, it's based on speculation and wishful thinking and ignores certain basic provisions of the Copyright law. Feel free to ignore my advice, also.

Without #2, #s 3 & 4 won't happen. Without #1, all of this is a silly exercise.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

...or you could win, call in the lawyers and be disqualified for not signing their agreement. NEXT.

[bongo_x]

It's much simpler than that.

1) Win the contest.

2) Have an entertainment lawyer write a letter pointing out the rules that cannot be enforced. There will be no negotiations or other such nonsense. You have certain rights that cannot be taken away and the right letter will point this out. This letter will apply to any potential winner and the contest holder will know that.

3) You would get your performance royalties (which broadcast pays through your PRO) and mechanicals if they exist (not likely) and give up all other control - it's still their contest, after all.

4) After a period of time, all rights would revert back to you or your estate. It cannot be a work for hire unless they pay you for the work before you do it.

5) Ignore most of the advice you have read on this thread. Well meaning though it is, it's based on speculation and wishful thinking and ignores certain basic provisions of the Copyright law. Feel free to ignore my advice, also.

Without #2, #s 3 & 4 won't happen. Without #1, all of this is a silly exercise.

I'm not even sure what a lawyer looks like, but this is the approach I'd take. If you don't win there's not really anything to talk about, is there?

The term "pissing contest" makes me feel funny.

bb

[James Steele]

I originally just started this thread to start a discussion about the trend I've seen with various contests that require all sorts of rights forfeiture to just enter... that's all. Seems like there's a lot of overreach these days.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Seems like there's a lot of overreach these days.

Well put!