Record Labels Trying to Prevent 'Taylor's Version' Re-Recording Scenarios With New Artists, Lawyers Reveal
30.10.2023 - 17:09
/ justjared.com
Taylor Swift is having a very successful streak with her “Taylor’s Version” re-recordings, which began following a showdown with Scooter Braun and her old record label regarding the sales of her masters.
In a new report on Monday (October 30), Billboard revealed that the major labels, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, have recently revised contracts for new signees, according to top music attorneys.
In some of the contracts, labels are demanding 10, 15 or even 30 years to re-record releases after leaving their companies.
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“The first time I saw it, I tried to get rid of it entirely,” Josh Karp, a veteran attorney, said of new UMG contracts that he’s seen.
“I was just like, ‘What is this? This is strange. Why would we agree to further restrictions than we’ve agreed to in the past with the same label?’”
Previously, standard major-label recording contracts stated that artists had to wait for either five to seven years from the release date of the original, or two years after the contract expired.
Now, lawyers tell Billboard they are receiving label contracts that expand that period to 10 or 15 years or more.
“It becomes one of a multitude of items you’re fighting,” Josh Karp says.
“I recently did a deal with a very big indie that had a 30-year re-record restriction in it. Which obviously is much longer than I’m used to seeing. I think the majors are also trying to expand their re-record restrictions but in a more measured way — they are generally not yet able to get away with making such extreme changes,” added another lawyer, Gandhar Savur.
Dina LaPolt, a music attorney, said: “Now, because of all this Taylor Swift sh–, we have an even new negotiation.