Pilate v. Burrell

D.W. NELSON, Circuit Judge.

In 1986, a then little known rapper, Stanley Burrell (at the time known as “Holy Ghost Boy” and later to be known as “M.C. Hammer,” and subsequently simply “Hammer”), approached Felton Pilate, a well-established producer, to collaborate on the production of an album. Their first LP, “Let’s Get It Started,” went multi-platinum in 1988 and they continued to collaborate until 1990 without any written agreement. In January 1990, they signed two contracts (the Songwriter’s and Producer’s agreements), the interpretation of which is the sole issue appealed from the…