Sampling Copyrights

[Ghostgirl705]

I have done my mandatory pre-post google search on this topic, I still have no idea what to do, and I don't even know if anyone can help me But i am at a bit of a loss here. :P

As I think a few of you know I am involved in a small independent record label called SlimChance Productions. Basically this is my boyfriend and I and we produce music out of out house. He works with quite a few artists across the country via the Internet and has 3 albums coming out this year.

Here is the problem, he started working with one artist in Louisiana about 4 years ago, they had a few songs that they worked on together for fun, not to distribute. One of the song includes a sample from a Chicago song that if distributed would be considered copyright infringement. This song was sent to the artist in Louisiana 4 years ago and now this guy has decided to sell a "sampler" album with this song on it.

We have already asked him to please remove this song from his sampler because of the legalities of the situation, but he will not. Because this song is being distributed under with the SlimChance name on it, we, my boyfriend and I, being the owners of the business, are liable.

Now my question is, besides getting a lawyer involved what can we do as the record label to not be held accountable for his actions?

I was going to email him a cease and desist, but will this be enough to cover our butts? Also if I ask him to remove the SlimChance labal, will this do anything?