Support the California FAIR Act
AB 983 (Kalra)
California recording artists are calling for an end to indefinite record contracts
Read Real Stories & Share Your Story
Protracted Exclusive Record Deals
The California rule that prevents personal service agreements from lasting longer than 7 calendar years does not protect recording artists. Only recording artists are excluded from this protection due to a 1987 amendment pushed by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Learn About the 7 Year Statute
Option Periods & Abandoned Artists
Hundreds of California recording artists are promised the moon, bound to long option periods and then ultimately dropped by their record label. Because of delivery definitions and long option periods, some artists have waited 7 years for a decision from their label.
“Without artists, there would be no music industry. It’s indefensible that record companies are still holding artists hostage in outdated, never-ending deals because of some stupid CA law put into effect by the major record companies ironically.”
— deadmau5 and owner of independent record label, mau5trap
“As a recording artist, I call upon our label partners to work with us in the fight for FAIR. Gone are the days where labels need five exclusive albums to turn a profit. Labels are hugely profitable in the new music economy while many artists continue to struggle financially. FAIR is an important and overdue change to an antiquated law that will help the entire music ecosystem."
— Aloe Blacc
The Legislation
AB 983 (Kalra)
Amend Section 2855 of the California Labor Code
Check out our Campaign Material
Please see here for the full legislation, which includes provisions related to actors who perform in TV series.
1. The 7 Year Rule
A contract to render personal service may not be enforced against the employee beyond seven years from the commencement of service under it.
THIS LEGISLATION WOULD REMOVE THE EXEMPTION FOR RECORDING ARTISTS
2. Limits option periods
“Music product” means a phonorecord or sound recording, as defined in Section 101 of Title 17 of the United States Code.
“Music talent” means a person engaged in the creation of music product.
A contract for the exclusive personal services of a music talent may not contain a term that includes option periods which extend more than nine months after the initial commercial release of the applicable music product.
If the music talent’s option has not been formally exercised within the time period specified, the music talent may, at any time, terminate their personal services agreement by sending notice to the contracting party.
3. No Waivers
No part of this proposed law may be waived in an individual negotiation, collective bargaining agreement, or other agreement.
Any provision in a contract that would deprive an employee or recording artist of the protections of this section shall be void.
