From the course: Music Law: Recording, Management, Rights, and Performance Contracts

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Creative control

Creative control

From the course: Music Law: Recording, Management, Rights, and Performance Contracts

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Creative control

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- Creative control refers to the right of final approval over recording video or other artistic endeavor. Indie labels are more open to granting creative control to artists, that is, giving artists final approval of the choice and sound of the final recordings, as well as the album art and packaging. Major labels rarely cede creative control. Majors believe they know what's best in the marketplace, and, therefore, they want final say on everything they sell. Even artists who negotiate creative control clauses have limited powers, because the only way to enforce such a provision, should a dispute arise, is to sue the record company. These lawsuits are expensive to initiate, difficult to win, and usually tie up an artist's recording career. Artists concerned about creative control should talk to other musicians signed by the record company and find out how the company treats them. In addition, an artist should take the initiative to control as much as possible, for example, overseeing…

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