master copyright recording advice please :)

[pirell]

...sup y'all, i just wanted some advice on master copyright info. i have a pretty general idea of it, in that by definition, whoever pays for the recording process in e.g. hiring out a studio, retains the MAster copyright to the songs performed right? ive been trying to get up to scratch with the legal side of stuff so that it doesnt end in tears in the future or just to practice stuff that ill eventually come across.

so since im the producer, and i produced ALL the tracks, how am I protected? its not an issue of trust at stake persay cos ive known the artist for sometime now, and im even more uptodate about this stuff than he, but my fear is when others come in..e.g. a record company/publishing (as they are snooping around already) and then its made known to him that HE retains the masters, while i would get nothing.

so what do i do to protect myself? do i have to suggest that i pay half the recording costs so that i retain 50% of the masters, or since i retain the arranger/production rights is this enough to cover me? cos if im correct, if you dont have master rights..you dont have very much at all.? thanks

 

[bigdmakintrax]

A producer should always retain all rights to his masters.....unless there has been an agreement or clause releasing them as part or full of an outstanding agreement between you and the artist.... all of this or how you want to control your work should be made perfectly clear in your recording or services contract with your artist so there is no question and these masters cannot be used in further negotiations with other individuals unless you are informed or write a new one.....this is not legal advice but common sense in covering your ass....