Lil Wayne is making headlines again for allegedly stealing beats. Because I see this kind of mixup happen far too often, I’d thought I use this opportune moment to address the importance of contracts and copyrights. But before I go there, let me lay out the conflict among the parties involved.
A lawsuit was filed in L.A. by rapper Rich Rick. Rick claims that he bought a beat some years ago that’s used in Waynes song “How to Love” from a group of producers who call themselves the Drumma Boyz. Rick then claims that the producers unlawfully sold the beat to Wayne after he rightfully owned the master. Wayne most likely had no way of knowing that he was being sold a beat was already exclusively purchased by another rapper.
These kinds of conflicts can result in physical altercations because business wasn’t handled properly in the beginning. When the victim of the theft has no legal proof of ownership, lawful resolution is not an option, and things can get heated. This can all be avoided of course with just a few simple precautions. It won’t prevent the theft from occurring, but it will make sure that you’re protected in case it does. Most times these conflicts are just an issue of principle because the person stealing the beat rarely makes enough impact with the stolen music to even warrant a lawsuit. But why take chances?
Entertainment lawyers can be costly, but you’d only have to pay them once to draw up a producer/artist contract that you can reuse throughout your career. If you buy the sole (exclusive) rights to a beat from a producer, there should be some legal contract between you two with all details covered in it. You should also then make sure that the music is properly copyrighted as well. This will give you the evidence you need in case you have prove ownership if the beat is resold.
I personally, as a producer, have not used contracts in every business agreement I’ve made, but this should never become a habit. It would be great if we could all do business on the faith of a persons’s word and a handshake, but unfortunately the world doesn’t operate that way. Protect yourself.
