ASCAP question..Publisher Name?

[slimcharm]

The goal is a record deal (as a singer and sometimes songwriter) for Jessica.Most of the music she is working on now is a collaboration..so if she were registered as a publisher..what happens in that case?Matto thanks for your thoughts..I have actually found the Passman book to jump ahead alot of steps and miss out on what I need to know..though its good. Avalons book is really negative. I also have about 4 others. I will look into the one you mention. I think I didt get it due to the reviews but will take a second look.

[matto]

Quote:The goal is a record deal (as a singer and sometimes songwriter) for Jessica.See I know this Lee. That's why I'm giving you the advice I'm giving you. It's tailored to your situation .No, seriously. I know it's nice and convenient to ask your music biz questions on an internet forum. You'll get quick answers. The problem is those answers are often incomplete, or not specifiv enough, or even wrong. Chances are you'll get your questions answered by people who've never made a single penny off of their music...but you would never even know.Btw this is not directed at any of the fine people who have posted in this thread, but it's important to realize that it is the nature of internet forums. Caveat Rogator...(if I remember my Latin )The reason I recommend the Braheny book is that it's the best book for a newcomer. It gives you the basic foundation of knowledge you'll need. You can later build on that. Never a good idea to build without a foundation... .matto

[slimcharm]

I also find that advise differs from one book to another..kind of like a diet.Ok Matto..I will get the book. BUT in the meantime, since its going to take awhile you (Matto) would advise me to simply register her as a writer and not as a publisher...correct?We did plan to join ASCAP and I do have the paperwork filled out for both and its true that if there is no publisher listed with ASCAP none will be paid.

[hummingbird]

John Brahney says "There is a $10 annual fee for a writer to be an Ascap member." ... "There is a $50 annual fee for being a publisher-member of Ascap."I agree with Matt, the question you are asking cannot be answered here with 100% accuracy, and noone here can really help you make these decisions. Why not call Ascap, and ask about it?HPS - John B says not to use your own name for the publishing company. From what I read, I think he's saying... Ascap has to approve the company name... the company may have to register as a business in some way... it all sounds really complicated to me. My view of it is, as I said in a post above - unless you are running a publishing company, I don't understand why you would be registering as a publisher. IMM, writing and music publishing are two different things. But that's me. Don't take my word for it.

[slimcharm]

Vikki,There is no cost to join ASCAP..this quote is from the website..."You can join as a writer, a publisher, or both if you meet the eligibility requirements. There is no cost to join ASCAP and there are no annual dues." So John B. is incorrect..geez..when an expert like that is wrong it really makes you wonder who knows what about anything!So the question is...why NOT join? If down the road there were royalties and no publisher listed why not be listed as the publisher? What could a consequence be?

[hummingbird]

Perhaps when John published his book there were fees. The website is the most updated info.I don't know the answer to your question... but I wonder what happens if a publisher comes along and wants 100% of the publishing. Can you change how you've registered the song?I guess my question, can anyone say they are a publisher? You don't have to have a registered company or a legitimate licensed business? You can just make up a name and register as a publisher-member? Maybe that's why there are so many sharks?Anyway, I think I should apologize for coming in on this thread. I really don't know enough on this subject to be of help. I still suggest you call Ascap and ask them, they ARE the experts.cheersVikki

[matto]

Quote:Vikki,There is no cost to join ASCAP..this quote is from the website..."You can join as a writer, a publisher, or both if you meet the eligibility requirements. There is no cost to join ASCAP and there are no annual dues." So John B. is incorrect..geez..when an expert like that is wrong it really makes you wonder who knows what about anything!Ascap had membership dues for both writers and publishers until recently. Now it's free...if you meet the eligibility requirements. I just looked those up and as far as I can tell you don't meet them, at least not as a publisher.Quote: So the question is...why NOT join? Well, not meeting the eligibility requirements would be a good reason . The main reason is it makes things more complicated. Could you deposit a check made out to your publishing company in your private bank account? In most cases you'll need an account in the publishing company's name. And in many cases you can't open one unless you have a ficticious business name statement. So the question is would you wanna do all this if the chances you'll ever make any publishing money are very slim, in your particular case (no pun intended)? And, if that remote case ever happend, there would still be plenty of time to take care of it at that time anyway, so why deal with it now? I mean there's not even a real reason to sign Jessica up as a writer at this time, it's not like her songs are being played on radio or tv now or anytime soon. There's really no rush in any of this...So actually, my advice is to read the book I recommended...after doing so you'll have enough nuts and bolts knowledge to decide these matters for yourself .matto

[slimcharm]

Actually her songs are being played right now on an internet radio station (not that we expect to or would want to collect from them) http://www.kspazradio.com/ You can see her name on the site also..Just something fun!However, your comments about the bank account etc are the first ones that make the case for not doing the publishing aspect.

[matto]

Quote:Actually her songs are being played right now on an internet radio station (not that we expect to or would want to collect from them) http://www.kspazradio.com/ I meant real radio ...actually, to be quite honest, I have zero knowledge when it come to internet radio, but I'd imagine only large well-known stations would be licensed by Ascap/Bmi at this time .Maybe Von could chime in here?

[nomiyah]

www.soundexchange.com is endorsed by ASCAP to collect digital royalties.Nomi