You’ve got your recording (or songwriting) contract in hand and
everything’s coming up roses, right? You get your check, finally,
but it’s not quite what you expected. If you sign not knowing
what’s owed you then you might be shorted some well-deserved
income. So make sure that anything you sign contains a statement
to the following areas (preferably in your favor):
Performing Rights – this means you get a chunk of the change when
your songs are played over the radio, television, Internet and at
some public venues like concerts and such. And who keeps tabs on
this? Check out ASCAP-http://www.ascap.com/index.html, SESAC–
http://www.sesac.com/home.asp and BMI– http://www.bmi.com.
Mechanical Rights – This is the most commonly known. It includes
anything physical such as tapes, CDs, etc. The Harry Fox Agency
is nearly 80 years old and for artists with 2500 or less
recordings they can learn more at http://www.songfile.com/
regarding small licensing.
Print Rights – Exactly that – anything in print like lyrics or
sheet music.
Foreign Rights – Again, anything that deals with foreign
publishing and licensing.
Synchronization Rights – Ever heard a Garth Brooks or Rolling
Stone song in a movie or television show? That’s synchronization
and it can mean big bucks although some artists overlook this
very important right when signing.
If you fail to have some or all of these areas covered when
signing a contract it can mean the loss of big money for you. If
you can afford it hire only the best entertainment attorney to
handle your contracts. A good attorney can be expensive,
especially if he has to do all the legwork but you can save time
and money by looking into products such as the 101 Music Business
Contracts software at http://www.MusicContracts101.com . This
easy to use, contracts creation software features over 100,
professionally drafted, music business contracts and agreements.
As with any contract you sign – be it a house loan or a recording
contract – it’s best to have an attorney look the documents over
before doing a final signing. However, a great money saver is
arming yourself with knowledge, like 101 Music Business
Contracts, before you ever set foot in a law firm. As the
www.MusicContracts101.com site suggest, Protect Yourself, Your
Music and Your Career – Get It In Writing!
This article was written by Ty Cohen, the music industry's most
recognizable voice! Ty is the C.E.O of Platinum Millennium
Publishing, Platinum Millennium Records as well as owner of
www.MusicContracts101.com and
http://www.musicindustrysuccess.com/cgi-bin/proanalyzer/p.cgi/articles
Some of his work includes: books, directories, mini-courses and
software programs including the titles: "How to Make a Fortune in
the Music Industry by Doing it Yourself" and "How to Make
$500,000.00 "or More" A Year in the Music Industry by Doing it
Yourself". For nearly a decade, Ty Cohen's Get Amplified!
Newsletter and series of Free Music Industry Success “Mini
Courses” has helped over 40,000 independent musicians, singers,
rappers, composers, record label owners, producers, managers,
agents and others reach their music business goals. Using a
unique combination of tested and proven music business success
resources, which includes a series of books, directories,
software programs, videos, seminars and newsletters, our goal is
to educate and empower musical individuals just like you with the
tools needed to succeed! To find out more about Ty Cohen, his
services, products and how he may be able to help you succeed in
the music industry go to
http://www.musicindustrysuccess.com/cgi-bin/proanalyzer/p.cgi/articles
and sign up for his free limited edition music industry success
10-part “Mini-Course”, it will work wonders for you and best of
all, it’s FREE, but EXTREMELY VALUABLE!
Thank you for taking the time to read this article and I wish you
Much Success!
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