25/11/2004
NEWS STORY
Those that strive for success and recognition have been known to sign their lives away, once a contract is placed in front of them.
In the old days, the major movie studios 'owned' the actors and actresses under contract to them, studio bosses controlling almost every aspect of the stars' professional, and often private, lives.
The same thing happened in the music industry, with eager youngsters desperate to succeed, signing deals with record companies, publishers and managers that saw them handing over most of their income, and usually all artistic integrity. Then George Michael took on Sony.
Now we have BAR and WilliamsF1 squabbling over the services of Anthony Davidson, both pointing to the fine print in various documents. Sadly, Davidson's F1 racing career could be over before it has even begun.
Wherever there is a youngster eager to succeed, there will be someone offering a contract, which at the time appears to confirm that they've made it. Sadly, that self same contract can often become a millstone.