Legal Question in Business Law in Tennessee

I wrote an entire stage play with a guy who has his own production company, when it came to the contract he entitled me tp 3% of the ticket sales after the cost of the venue and all other bills (basically 3% of what is left over) I had a problem with the contract because we wrote and worked for 2 years, we were great friends and i ddint feel it was fair that I get 3% of whats left over, I told him my concerns and he changed, this was on a wednesday i beleive, he said I had until next Wednesday, he started acting funny and saying things like the friendship will change and saying hurtful things about me being all about money, he was a great friend this put tremendous pressure and stress on me, I counter proposed him, and he declined and offered me 3% only after the cost of the venue, I still wasnt happy because that stillw as very little for all the work I had done, so moved up the date for me to sign, first I had till wednesday, then it was Sunday next thing I know he is at my job wanting to get my signature, I had no time to think or really consult with anyone, I was confused angry and saddend by this so I ended up signing both contracts, I just wanted it over, and he ended up using the original, this was 6 months ago, the play debut was on Jan. 24th, it bombed, he didnt even make enough to cover the cost of the venue, so I am not sure if I get anything because there was no clause in the contract that said in the event of there not being enough money to cover venue then so on and so forth, when I called to ask, he did not answer, I want to throw out the original contract and just have him buy my rights, no percentages, is it too late


Asked on 1/28/10, 8:04 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dan Scott Scott Law Group, PC

You are in a tough spot. Once you negotiated the terms of the deal, even though they didn't end up to your preference, then signed the deal, it is unlikely that a court will throw out the agreement. The problem for you here is you started the screen play without an agreement, negotiated and entered into on in the middle (or near the end), then proceeded with the deal fully ready to accept the benefit of the bargain. You can't go back now and say, that didn't work, let's start over.

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Answered on 2/02/10, 9:39 am


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