[ethank]

I hate this headline. This is not RIAA accounting: its having a bad lawyer and not negotiating a good deal. I've been in plenty of deal meetings and seen the good and the bad.

The good artists retain most of their rights, negotiate a buy out of master recording rights, retain all fanclub/merch rights, etc.

The labels try to gun for 360 rights, but the fact is while there was a brief moment when they could deliver on the promise of the 360, that moment has long passed.

If you are a band, and you want to be a multi-platinum act selling world wide: get a really really good lawyer and sign with QPrime, Frontline, Red Light/ATO, etc.

Let me repeat: GET A GOOD LAWYER.

[zaphar]

If you get a good lawyer and he drives a hard bargain that doesn't mean you get the record label deal though. What's more important is determining how much you are willing to give up for a record label deal. The label is perfectly capable of telling you no deal if they don't want to give you all your demands. There are a lot of other artists out there who will drive an easier bargain.

The lawyer is helpful in actually understanding the deal but he can't guarantee the deal you want.

[ethank]

Very true. You also need to be willing to walk away and hold the line. I've seen contract negotiations go for YEARS.