Comments on: What Attorneys Won’t Tell You http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=6223 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:48:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.6 By: ggartslaw http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=6223&cpage=1#comment-205347 ggartslaw Wed, 01 Aug 2012 06:08:19 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=6223#comment-205347 Very sad, indeed, though it doesn't surprise me. Far too many artists, managers, agents, and others in the performing arts world rely on templates and boilerplates and never take the time to make sure that the contracts they sign actually reflect the deals they want. Then, when something goes wrong, they want to re-negotiate. This is not limited to a US phenomenon. I get calls from artists all around the world who are upset that they entered into deals they really didn't understand. A contract can be renegotiated at any time so long as both parties agree. However, if one party wants to renegotiate and the other doesn't, then the contract stands--which is why you should NEVER sign a contract with the idea that you can renegotiate it later. Thanks for reading! Very sad, indeed, though it doesn’t surprise me. Far too many artists, managers, agents, and others in the performing arts world rely on templates and boilerplates and never take the time to make sure that the contracts they sign actually reflect the deals they want. Then, when something goes wrong, they want to re-negotiate. This is not limited to a US phenomenon. I get calls from artists all around the world who are upset that they entered into deals they really didn’t understand. A contract can be renegotiated at any time so long as both parties agree. However, if one party wants to renegotiate and the other doesn’t, then the contract stands–which is why you should NEVER sign a contract with the idea that you can renegotiate it later. Thanks for reading!

]]> By: Stephen P Brown http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=6223&cpage=1#comment-203834 Stephen P Brown Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:57:24 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=6223#comment-203834 Thank you for highlighting the fundamental difference between US and UK norms - I've wondered. I'm reminded of the nasty dispute between a choreographer/ show lead and the show's producers. After the show's amazing success he wanted to renegotiate his copyright contract. Being from the US, he thought it was fine to do that. The European producers were taken aback. The dispute effectively shut down the show, and he went and set up his own version which is still touring the world. It's a shame such skill and talent is overshadowed by greed. Is it true that in the US a contract can be renegotiated at any time? Thank you for highlighting the fundamental difference between US and UK norms – I’ve wondered.

I’m reminded of the nasty dispute between a choreographer/ show lead and the show’s producers. After the show’s amazing success he wanted to renegotiate his copyright contract. Being from the US, he thought it was fine to do that. The European producers were taken aback. The dispute effectively shut down the show, and he went and set up his own version which is still touring the world. It’s a shame such skill and talent is overshadowed by greed.

Is it true that in the US a contract can be renegotiated at any time?

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