A recording artist contract is a legal agreement used to define the terms, rights, and responsibilities of a song writer or singer. Contract terms include information regarding who owns the copyright to the creative works. In the case of a song writer, a contract may allow for co-ownership of copyright, allowing both the writer of the songs and the music publisher to have part ownership in the copyrights. In the case of a singer contract, where the artist does not write his or her own music, the singer will most likely not have an copyright ownership over the songs. Contracts will also address how payments and royalties from album sales shall be paid to the recording artist. Often, artists are granted advance payments when they sign a record contract, though often these payments must be paid back to the record company out of the artist's future earnings. Because of the many dangers involved, having an attorney review a contract is recommended.