Re: Royalties

Without reading the agreement you signed, it is difficult to know what you really signed and what you agreed to pay. However, 33% is a very high commission and I sincerely doubt they are entitled to 100% of the royalties.

I am not sure if you are a member of the Actors union or not. If you are or were, there are certain requirements advertising companies must honor.

It is also unclear what this company is and how they 'found you" or the "job"

If this contract or work was arranged in MA, you may have a claim for a deceptive business practice.

Re: Royalties

In order to determine the rights of the parties, you should gather all paperwork and visit your local attorney. Who is entitled to what compensation depends on 1. the written contract, if any, 2. oral promises and assurances, if any, 3. and perhaps customary practice of the industry.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have any further questions.

Re: Royalties

Agreed. Evaluating the strength of your case and of the company's claims begins, first, from the agreement you signed. Then, perhaps from examining the conduct of the parties, their mutual intent, and industry standards.

Judging from the company's conduct you describe, I would not be surprised to learn they are trying to pressure you to relent, b/c they recognize (1) the royalties may ultimately be significant, and, maybe, (2) because they do not have a good agreement entitling them to royalties, so they are trying to pressure you to give in to them without resorting to a formal dispute about the terms of the agreement.

At least, their conduct suggests that you have strong incentive to investigate your rights further before doing anything more. Depending on the contract terms and analysis, retaining an attorney on your behalf in the process could easily pay for itself several-fold by ultimately bringing about a significantly higher settlement payment to resolve the dispute than if you handled this unrepresented. Feel free to contact me directly for a no obligation initial office consultation. Often in these cases, the companies use their size and bargaining power to push you around or take what they are not due, especially when intellectual property is involved. But there is much you can effectively do to prevent it.