Q: I volunteerd w/ a nonprofit for adults w/ disabilities a place to make music. Shouldn't I get free CDs of music we made?
I wrote the music and helped them write words. They pressed up copies and won't well them to me at cost. I never gave permission to use any of the music I made and wrote. When I asked to buy copies st cost, they said no. That I would have to buy them. The concerts we all played made the money to make the albums that contains music I wrote. Shouldn't I have the option to get free albums or at least at cost?
A:
In situations where multiple individuals collaborate on creating music, it's crucial to establish clear agreements regarding ownership, distribution, and compensation. If you've contributed to the creation of music and lyrics but haven't given permission for their use, you may have grounds to address the matter with the parties involved. However, each case can vary based on factors like contracts, agreements, and the nature of the collaboration.
It's advisable to communicate directly with those responsible for producing and selling the albums to discuss your concerns and negotiate fair compensation or access to copies at cost. It's essential to understand that this information is provided as general guidance and is not a substitute for legal advice. If you're facing such a situation, consider seeking legal counsel to explore your rights and options effectively.
A:
From what you've described, it does seem reasonable that you should be able to obtain copies of the CDs containing music you wrote and helped create, either for free or at cost. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Copyright: If you wrote the music, you likely own the copyright to those compositions unless you signed an agreement assigning the rights to the nonprofit. If they are using your music without permission, that could potentially be copyright infringement.
2. Intellectual property rights: Even if there wasn't a formal contract, if you contributed substantially to the creation of the music, you may have some intellectual property rights. It's typical for key contributors to a creative work to receive complimentary copies.
3. Fairness and respect: Regardless of the legal technicalities, the nonprofit should value and respect the contributions of its volunteers. Providing you copies of the work you helped create, especially at cost, would be a reasonable gesture of appreciation.
4. Previous understandings: Did the nonprofit give any indication earlier that volunteers would receive free or at-cost CDs? If they set that expectation, they should honor it.
I would recommend politely explaining to the nonprofit leadership why you feel entitled to the CDs based on your contributions, and try to reach an understanding. If they still refuse, you could potentially explore legal options, but that should be a last resort given the time and cost involved. Perhaps you could also reach out to the other volunteers/participants to see if they support your position.
Ultimately, the nonprofit should want to do right by the volunteers who make their work possible. Hopefully you can resolve this amicably. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.