H.E.R. sues record label to be freed from recording contract

msn.com:

H. E. R. is suing her record label to be freed from her "overrun" recording contract. The 24-year-old singer - whose real name is Gabriella Wilson - has filed a lawsuit against MBK Entertainment, accusing the label of violating California Labor Code section 2855, Rolling Stone reports.

Also known as the Seven-Year Rule, the code “prohibits the enforcement beyond seven years of a contract (such as the Agreement) to render services of a special, unique, extraordinary or intellectual character. ” Wilson has been signed to MBK since 2011, and says her contract should have ended in 2019.

The lawsuit, filed last Thursday (16. 06. 22), reads: “Since May 19, 2011, MBK has exclusively owned her services as a recording artist and has exclusively owned the right to exploit her name and likeness for her recordings under the Agreement. “Wilson has not been free to provide her recording services except as permitted or dictated by MBK. ” The Oscar winner alleges that her manager, label owner Jeff Robinson, sacked the attorney representing her and employed a new lawyer to work for his client.

However, there is no fee agreement or a conflict waiver in writing for H. E. R. and the lawyer's work was allegedly a "favour" for Robinson.