Library contract

[SusanAnnNorberg]

I just received a contract from a library. According to the terms it is perpetuity a 50-50 split. What happens if they don't promote it. Is this a standard contract or is it typical for people to make changes on them such as an ending date instead of perpetuity.

[Telefunkin]

Yes, those are typical terms of a standard deal.
No, its not typical to expect a library to change their terms. They can simply choose other composers.
If they don't promote the track they won't earn any money from it, so although there's no guarantee it will ever get used you can expect that they will try. Remember that its just one track in what could be a massive catalogue.

[DaveGraham]

50/50 is standard in my experience.

I've had forever contracts and 10 year contracts. I've never had reason to ask for changes, but you can always ask!

If they don't promote it, your tracks won't sell and you won't get any/many royalties - but it a long game. The earliest tracks I got into a library (about 12 years ago) are still earning now - only a small amount per month...but when you add it up over 12 years, it's a really surprisingly large amount. I was disappointed in the first year as not much happened (and actually did the worst possible thing....stopped because it didn't seem worth it).

It's far more likely that you will earn nothing in the first year - but ten years down the line those tracks will still be trickling money in.

[cosmicdolphin]

What happens if they don't promote it.

They won't earn any money and neither will you so they have a vested interest

Is this a standard contract or is it typical for people to make changes on them such as an ending date instead of perpetuity.

That's standard...there are worse deals out there. If you don't like the standard terms they will likely pass rather than change them for one person.

[SusanAnnNorberg]

Thanks all. I'll sign. Got my first contract. My Christmas Song.

[VanderBoegh]

but you can always ask

I would advise against even asking. I've had this discussion with numerous library owners that are now my friends, and they say this very question is one of the biggest turn-offs they can get from new composers. Some will just cast the composer aside the moment they ask this question. Not only is this a "take it or leave it" contract offer, but it raises big rookie red flags if you ask to make contract changes. It's easier to just pass on you and move on to the next person.

~~Matt

[Paulie]

I would advise against even asking. I've had this discussion with numerous library owners that are now my friends, and they say this very question is one of the biggest turn-offs they can get from new composers. Some will just cast the composer aside the moment they ask this question. Not only is this a "take it or leave it" contract offer, but it raises big rookie red flags if you ask to make contract changes. It's easier to just pass on you and move on to the next person.

~~Matt

And THIS is why Matty V is the legend that he is. #micdrop

[DaveGraham]

but you can always ask

I would advise against even asking. I've had this discussion with numerous library owners that are now my friends, and they say this very question is one of the biggest turn-offs they can get from new composers. Some will just cast the composer aside the moment they ask this question. Not only is this a "take it or leave it" contract offer, but it raises big rookie red flags if you ask to make contract changes. It's easier to just pass on you and move on to the next person.

~~Matt

This is a fair point - in retrospect my experience of chatting about these things has been with record label owners, not music libraries...different breed and not relevant here...should have kept my trap shut on that one!

[steveprobst]

Thanks for asking the question Susan and congrats on your first contract.
An informative thread for me. I've signed a few contracts and never asked to have things changed.