I recently started to get into production and I'm making my first tracks. I haven't published any yet, but I want to do so and I read about PROs (Performance Rights Organisations). You can sign up at some of them for free, but it involves signing a 5-year contract with them. Should I sign one of these contracts before publishing my tracks (say, on soundcloud), or not at all? Thanks in advance!
Right now, I'm not looking towards making any commercial use of my tracks (except, say, including them in my sets), yet I want to be sure that if I get a record deal in two year's time there'll be no issues...
I'd tell you to wait until you're getting signed and such. Even then, the label might have that covered.
Ok, that's pretty much all the doubt that I had... Thanks! On a side note, is Creative Commons the way to go for licensing?
If you go creative commons anyone can use your track to make profit. Example: I make a movie include your track, put it on the soundtrack, said soundtrack sells 2 million copies -> I will get the money, you will see no money whatsoever. But then again just read the creative commons license and you will know more.... it is a long read but worthwhile.
I've used creative commons before, but I want to know if it is appropriate for this kind of work, or if copyright is a better option (I think you have to pay for it though). Anyways, it's better than nothing...
I do not have to pay anything to write "all rights reserved" under my soundcloud posting. And I also do not have to pay anything for the law to protect me. The only thing PROs do is collect the money for you, for a hefty price and possibly (in theory only) you may get some return even if you do not know where your music is used. I think if you are interested you should buy one of the many books published on the subject.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Don't make the mistake I made. I had a small record contract about 10 years ago. I wasted a lot of time, money and energy worrying about the legalities and protecting myself in case of a "hypothetical" runaway success. I probably annoyed a lot of people, too. Most dance singles, even underground hits, only sell about 500-1000 copies. Maybe things have changed in the last ten years, but I doubt its that much. When you factor in all the cuts publishers, labels, etc get, its not worth the money to take you to court. You'll probably get a cease and desist letter at best. You're most likely to get ripped off by entering a bad contract where legalities are exploited by your manager, publisher, or record label. It's better to get started on production and get your name and music out there. If your tracks eventually get some buzz, and you get label interest, then you should look at the legalities and get more careful about publishing. If you look closely at the history of successful entertainers, even ones who come out of nowhere, they've usually been sweating it out with unknown work for many years. Thus the showbiz saying: "The overnight success 10 years in the making" Although, legally, it's possible for a stranger to exploit a a legal loophole and make millions off of your creative work, the chances of this happening for a first time producer are pretty much a fluke. Same for a PRO coming after you. And what if that actually did happen? Let's say Lady GAGA/Hollywood puts one of your tracks on her next album/film and you don't make a cent. That'd open the doors to tons of opportunities to produce for other artists on favorable terms. You'll be the guy who produced "that" song. Don't let legalities hold you back.
Just came across a depressing chart on how little money producers artists make: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/how-much-do-music-artists-earn-online/ Seems like things have gotten even worse for musicians in the last 10 years.
You cannot say this in general. Things have changed, the music industry was a piece of crap even in the early years. Just read up on Tom Petty and his lawsuits to improve conditions for musicians. The problem with music and industry is, that an artist want's to create something, earn a living from it but most of all touch others with their art. Then there is the industry, their sole purpose is to make money for investors who have no interest in the art, they want to exploit that industry as best they can. Now some things in my above text maybe over the top for some part, it is written to stress 2 extremes.
Ok guys, thanks! Sorry for not paying attention to the thread, I didn't seem to get any more email notifications... So basically, I shouldn't bother to do anything, because even if I did I would hardly get a cut, huh?
I'm definitely not saying don't do anything. I'm saying don't hold yourself back because you're worrying about the legalities of a small amount of money. When you start smelling money, get careful. Just make music. Make the track that would get lawyers interested in you - whether its good or bad. If you're not in it for the thrill of making music, then there are much easier ways to make money than music production. Music is one of the biggest headaches legally, too. So expect to face some hassles when you go pro as a musician. Sometimes people just fish for an excuse not to take action. Even though I didn't make very much money and had a bunch of legal hassles with my track - at least I produced a track that was distributed nationally in the USA. Its a colorful dot on my life and that's worth a lot to me.
