I'm registered as a writer with the PRS here in the UK, and I'll be registering as a publisher as well after the rally. My question is, as I get forwards is it best for me to register these forwarded tracks straight away? In particular the forwards to libraries? My assumption has always been that if tracks get placed I'll be notified about it via eMail etc and react accordingly, but is it better to pre-register them after a forward?

Thanks,

Matt

You don't need to register your track with a PRO if you got forwarded to a publisher or library. If they sign your track, THEY will register it with you as the writer and themselves as the publisher anyway. If they re-title, that registration will be under the alternate title.

If you are marketing a track directly to end users with you taking both the writer's and publisher's share, then you should register it yourself. Also, if you place the track in a library that does not share in PRO royalties-- there are a few (not many) that only share in up-front license fees, then you should register it.

Note that some libraries register all tracks they sign within a few weeks or months (sometimes longer) of signing. Others don't bother registering unless there is serious interest or a placement.

HTH
Casey

Thanks Casey, that clears that up! And I promise I'll learn more songs to sing for the next rally.

This brings to mind something that is a bit hazy to me.

Here in America, the two big ones are ASCAP and BMI. If I am already registered with one, and a library registers me as writer on the re-title, will they register it under my current PRO writer's membership? ( I am assuming that Libraries are registered with every PRO as publisher and not exclusively with just one PRO) What happens if the library is in a different country?

BTW, Casey, Good class at the Rally... I just wish you would have been able to do most of the talking.

Russell

Snoring? Really? Is this thread REALLY that boring??

It's an interesting thread, at least to me...

We are in Ireland - and when we have a completed song we register it with IMRO (full details, inc instruments used etc).

IMRO have reciprocary deals with many PROs across the world, including of course ASCAP etc in the USA and PRS in the UK.

My question is (leading on from Matt's): If an American library accepts a track of ours, and then gets a placement for it, will they also register it in the States with ASCAP or BMI or such ? If so, it will then end up registered in 2 places.....

Yours confusedly,
Amanda