how to slice a pie
March 16, 2010 4:10 PM Subscribe
Music publishing structure for songs with multiple authors?
I'm wondering if anyone has ever been in a situation like this, how you worked it out, and what your results were like. It's a long shot but I figured I'd try here before calling a lawyer.
I'm in a band with a CD coming out soon. I want to get all the publishing stuff squared away quickly so we can concentrate on the ten thousand other things we have to get done. So, the facts are:
1. There are three of us
2. I am registered as a writer and as a publisher with ASCAP
3. The other two are not registered
4. All three of us are contributing music writers for each song
5. I'm the only lyricist
6. Which writer contributes the bulk of music can vary by song
So, if I understand ASCAP correctly, when I go to register the songs for the new CD, I'll get half registered as the publisher and half as the writer. If I name the other two as writers, they automatically get a third each of the writer half, and I can't adjust that to vary the percentages, I just have to divide it up properly on my end later?
I'm thinking of various ways to make sure each writer gets set up with an appropriate slice of each song, and how to document it all, how to automate as much of it as possible, and it's getting complex fast.
Has anyone been through this successfully? Are there good tutorials or other resources? I already have half a dozen books that touch on this subject but I'd be glad to hear about more.
I'm wondering if anyone has ever been in a situation like this, how you worked it out, and what your results were like. It's a long shot but I figured I'd try here before calling a lawyer.
I'm in a band with a CD coming out soon. I want to get all the publishing stuff squared away quickly so we can concentrate on the ten thousand other things we have to get done. So, the facts are:
1. There are three of us
2. I am registered as a writer and as a publisher with ASCAP
3. The other two are not registered
4. All three of us are contributing music writers for each song
5. I'm the only lyricist
6. Which writer contributes the bulk of music can vary by song
So, if I understand ASCAP correctly, when I go to register the songs for the new CD, I'll get half registered as the publisher and half as the writer. If I name the other two as writers, they automatically get a third each of the writer half, and I can't adjust that to vary the percentages, I just have to divide it up properly on my end later?
I'm thinking of various ways to make sure each writer gets set up with an appropriate slice of each song, and how to document it all, how to automate as much of it as possible, and it's getting complex fast.
Has anyone been through this successfully? Are there good tutorials or other resources? I already have half a dozen books that touch on this subject but I'd be glad to hear about more.
My ASCAP member boyfriend who is a long-time writer and publisher (and is sitting next to me) says there is no way to adjust the percentages- all writers are considered equal no matter who did what.
posted by kimdog at 4:41 PM on March 16, 2010
posted by kimdog at 4:41 PM on March 16, 2010
That's weird. My music pastor (who has at least 4 cds out, has written and cowritten and is right this minute in Nashville finishing up his CD) says you can split percentages. I have cowritten with him and he's adjusted the percentages when we do-I always thought you split it down the middle but he has always done it otherwise. Of course maybe it just depends on who you are dealing with? Maybe CCM is different?
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:46 PM on March 16, 2010
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:46 PM on March 16, 2010
(Of course tho we all know about the major artists who contribute a word or two to a song and then demand songwriting credits, so ymmv?)
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:47 PM on March 16, 2010
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 6:47 PM on March 16, 2010
this is not an uncommon arrangement in the music bis. publishing it is not the problem... getting royalties from licensing it are. once you self publish or work out publishing ( either contact a label or just decide represent your band yourself ), contact a non-exclusive licensing agency like rumblefish.com. they're a licensing provider who doesn't take ownership of your material and can handle things like split royalties for you automatically, as well as being respective of ASCAP and/or PRO for those of you who are registered.
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 6:52 PM on March 16, 2010
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 6:52 PM on March 16, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm also a writer/publisher member, and if I recall you can at least adjust the percentage of what is owed the publisher and the writer.
Of course, this will all be complicated by the fact that the other band members aren't registered. Sure, you can just put the copyright in your name only, and then whatever royalties come in you can divide amongst yourselves, sort of on an honor system. But, should something go awry, this is probably not legally binding (IAMAL).
I could be quite wrong. It's been some time since I've dealt with this sort of thing.
posted by Lutoslawski at 4:16 PM on March 16, 2010