Ok maybe a couple questions...
question 1
I've heard from a couple or different sources that a poor man's copyright is actually substantial...ive also heard that it wont hold in court...now i currently produce hip-hop/rnb tracks...in a weeks time ill finish at least 12 tracks...i just sent a big package of about 16 cds to the us copyright office...im just wondering if this "poor mans copyright process works at all"...i have new material to have copyrighted all the time but i cant send package after package ever 2 weeks...however there is a demand for my work..
question 2
If I produce a Song(do the background music/beats) with an artist(rapper/singer). Are the percentages or points for the song declared between me and the artist or when the song will be played on radio or distributed to the public?
any suggestions...
thank you
quick copyright question
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- KVRist
- 78 posts since 30 Apr, 2002 from New York City
Question 1 - You gain rights in the work under the U.S. Copyright Act by fixing your original work of authorship in a tangible means of expression. Registering the copyright is a prerequisite to bring suit and also provide prima facie evidence of your ownership of the work. It may also be a prerequisite to registering the work with a performing rights society (ASCAP/BMI).
Question 2 -If you are writing the background music, you should be a joint owner of the copyright in the song (and thus entitled to 1/2 the performance royalties). Otherwise, if you just want a production credit and royalty, you need to formalize an agreement with the artist for a split of public performance royalties.
My advice - read some books on the music biz or hire a music lawyer before you are another victim of ignorance.
Question 2 -If you are writing the background music, you should be a joint owner of the copyright in the song (and thus entitled to 1/2 the performance royalties). Otherwise, if you just want a production credit and royalty, you need to formalize an agreement with the artist for a split of public performance royalties.
My advice - read some books on the music biz or hire a music lawyer before you are another victim of ignorance.
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- KVRAF
- 1981 posts since 26 Oct, 2003 from Toronto
ASCAP does not hold or protect material per say, but does 'statistical monitoring' for residual payments basically.
IE: if they detect your song from radio logs in a week say 3 times, it is then rounded somewhat to say 10 plays a month, 50 plays a year. At what ever the % is these days - say 10 cents a play, you get a cheque from ASCAP for $5 by years end.
Of course - 3 times a day, syndicated programs, high density markets and so on all factor into the percentage calculations as well. Pretty heady stuff.
IE: if they detect your song from radio logs in a week say 3 times, it is then rounded somewhat to say 10 plays a month, 50 plays a year. At what ever the % is these days - say 10 cents a play, you get a cheque from ASCAP for $5 by years end.
Of course - 3 times a day, syndicated programs, high density markets and so on all factor into the percentage calculations as well. Pretty heady stuff.
