Administrative Questions: PROs, publishers, etc.

[Krusky]

I have questions with regard to the business end of licensing, publishing, etc. and figured this would be a good place to get some answers.

Note: My questions are posed from the standpoint of instrumental music written for film or television which is in libraries being pitched to music supervisors by the publishers I've signed agreements with.

1. Who is responsible for registering music with the PROs? Is it the publisher when the music is added to library, the music supervisor when placed in the production, or me before I distribute it to anyone?

2. With regard to getting paid, does BMI pay me directly? Or does BMI pay the publisher who then pays me?

3. How can I track what's happening with my music? Am I at the mercy of the publisher and his administration?

Would appreciate any feedback from anyone who's experienced in this area.

Thanks!

Best,
Rick

[davewalton]

I have questions with regard to the business end of licensing, publishing, etc. and figured this would be a good place to get some answers.

Note: My questions are posed from the standpoint of instrumental music written for film or television which is in libraries being pitched to music supervisors by the publishers I've signed agreements with.

1. Who is responsible for registering music with the PROs? Is it the publisher when the music is added to library, the music supervisor when placed in the production, or me before I distribute it to anyone?

2. With regard to getting paid, does BMI pay me directly? Or does BMI pay the publisher who then pays me?

3. How can I track what's happening with my music? Am I at the mercy of the publisher and his administration?

#1 - The publisher/library takes care of that

#2 - You get paid directly from your PRO (BMI I'm assuming in this case). Of course you have to register with them but when you do, part of the registration is to give them bank info for direct deposits. Statements are available online so you can see the line items (placements) that made up that payment. Payments are made quarterly and are running about two quarters behind the actual placement (BMI). Sept 27th we'll get paid for 1st Quarter 2010 placements.

#3 - Remember... the publisher gets the same payment as you do (assuming the normal 100% writer/100% publisher arrangement) so they're in the same boat as you, you're all on the same side... interested in getting paid! It's in his/her best interest to track down missing money as best they can. Just know that with millions (literally) of placements each year on network/cable television that there will be money that will be missed. Also there will be overpayments too so it does work both ways. Amazingly though the whole royalty payment system is pretty accurate and reliable (especially considering the volume of transactions).

Hope that helps,

Dave

[Krusky]

#1 - The publisher/library takes care of that

#2 - You get paid directly from your PRO (BMI I'm assuming in this case). Of course you have to register with them but when you do, part of the registration is to give them bank info for direct deposits. Statements are available online so you can see the line items (placements) that made up that payment. Payments are made quarterly and are running about two quarters behind the actual placement (BMI). Sept 27th we'll get paid for 1st Quarter 2010 placements.

#3 - Remember... the publisher gets the same payment as you do (assuming the normal 100% writer/100% publisher arrangement) so they're in the same boat as you, you're all on the same side... interested in getting paid! It's in his/her best interest to track down missing money as best they can. Just know that with millions (literally) of placements each year on network/cable television that there will be money that will be missed. Also there will be overpayments too so it does work both ways. Amazingly though the whole royalty payment system is pretty accurate and reliable (especially considering the volume of transactions).

Thanks for such a quick and concise response, Dave. I appreciate it!

On #1 - I have one publisher/library who is registering everything I give them; on others, looks like they're not registering at all or only if it's placed. That's where my question came from. Do you know which is correct? i.e.: register when they admit a piece into a library or register when it's placed?

On #2 - I don't recall any direct deposit, but will look into it (been a few years since the account was established). Thanks for heads-up!

On #3 - Cool, we both have the vested interest. But, to clarify, is BMI completely responsible for tracking? Or does the publisher play a part in this too somehow. Still a little confused.

Again, really appreciate your help, Dave.

Rick

[davewalton]

#1 - The publisher/library takes care of that

#2 - You get paid directly from your PRO (BMI I'm assuming in this case). Of course you have to register with them but when you do, part of the registration is to give them bank info for direct deposits. Statements are available online so you can see the line items (placements) that made up that payment. Payments are made quarterly and are running about two quarters behind the actual placement (BMI). Sept 27th we'll get paid for 1st Quarter 2010 placements.

#3 - Remember... the publisher gets the same payment as you do (assuming the normal 100% writer/100% publisher arrangement) so they're in the same boat as you, you're all on the same side... interested in getting paid! It's in his/her best interest to track down missing money as best they can. Just know that with millions (literally) of placements each year on network/cable television that there will be money that will be missed. Also there will be overpayments too so it does work both ways. Amazingly though the whole royalty payment system is pretty accurate and reliable (especially considering the volume of transactions).

Thanks for such a quick and concise response, Dave. I appreciate it!

On #1 - I have one publisher/library who is registering everything I give them; on others, looks like they're not registering at all or only if it's placed. That's where my question came from. Do you know which is correct? i.e.: register when they admit a piece into a library or register when it's placed?

On #2 - I don't recall any direct deposit, but will look into it (been a few years since the account was established). Thanks for heads-up!

On #3 - Cool, we both have the vested interest. But, to clarify, is BMI completely responsible for tracking? Or does the publisher play a part in this too somehow. Still a little confused.

Again, really appreciate your help, Dave.

Rick

#1 - Both ways actually. Sometimes they'll wait until a placement is actually made. No problem with that.

#2 - They used to mail a check. Now they require direct deposit.

#3 - Everybody plays a part more or less. The TV show is responsible for filing cue sheets (the placement information). BMI processes those and pays from those cue sheets but they also do some kind of auditing (I *think* mostly of network television but I can't remember... it's on their site somewhere.). So BMI does play a pro-active role too of some kind but definitely don't count on that. The publisher really is the person who's job it is to chase down unpaid royalties or to get unfiled cue sheets filed correctly. Theoretically we're supposed to just write music and have no worries after that. In reality sometimes we have to make the publisher aware of missing stuff to get them to get the ball rolling.

[Krusky]

Thanks again, Dave. Makes sense.

I have some exclusive deals where I own part of the publisher's share (I had to set up a publishing company). Is this the same, though, since their publishing company -- owning part of the publisher's share -- will keep track and I'll, as a result of their work, be included?

And I guess if there's a situation where I'm the sole publisher, it then becomes my responsibility to monitor?

[matto]

#2 - They used to mail a check. Now they require direct deposit.

Actually they still mail checks. It's just that the minimum check amount has gone up quite a bit (can't recall the exact figure), so if you don't make a lot of money per quarter they will hold off sending you a check until you clear that minimum amount.
On the other hand with direct deposit there is no minimum so you'll always get paid during the earliest possible distribution.

So I would definitely recommend direct deposit as well.

[Krusky]

#2 - They used to mail a check. Now they require direct deposit.

Actually they still mail checks. It's just that the minimum check amount has gone up quite a bit (can't recall the exact figure), so if you don't make a lot of money per quarter they will hold off sending you a check until you clear that minimum amount.
On the other hand with direct deposit there is no minimum so you'll always get paid during the earliest possible distribution.

So I would definitely recommend direct deposit as well.

Cool, thanks Matto. I'll set up the direct deposit.

Rick

[matto]

And I guess if there's a situation where I'm the sole publisher, it then becomes my responsibility to monitor?

If you're the sole publisher you'd also be the one pitching the songs and getting the placements for yourself. And yeah if you'd like to get paid for those placements then you'd have to keep an eye on things...

[Krusky]

And I guess if there's a situation where I'm the sole publisher, it then becomes my responsibility to monitor?

If you're the sole publihser you'd also be the one pitching the songs and getting the placements for yourself. And yeah if you'd like to get paid for those placements then you'd have to keep an eye on things...

Makes sense. Thanks for all the help, Dave. I think that answers my immediate questions. Appreciate it!

Rick