The contract was shared with Digital Music News early Friday morning, and is also being submitted as evidence in federal court by MegaUpload.
Just last week, will.i.am attorney Ken Hertz told the Hollywood Reporter that the ‘MegaUpload Song’ was totally unauthorized, and the reason for a YouTube takedown request by the artist. This contract suggests the complete opposite. It appears to give MegaUpload sweeping rights to capture any recording or interview involving will.i.am, and subsequently “copyright, record, broadcast, distribute, edit, publish, exhibit, disseminate, couple, and use in any way throughout the universe and in perpetuity…”
It also allows use throughout any “advertising, publicity, promotion, trade” material, and most importantly, waives any requirement for approval by the artist prior to dissemination. Take a look.
