Master Representation Deal with Major Label

[jaxumrecords]

I am re-recording covers for one of the 4 major publisher/labels under my independent label.
The initial agreement was that they would take the publishing fee and I would take 100 percent of the master license fee. So a commercial would need to negotiate the fee with both me and the major label individually.

They offered me the opportunity to do a one stop shop deal. Saying that they would take 25-35 of the master license fee to broker the deals. They said it would be easier to license the tracks as the clients would not need to go to two places.

We negotiated to 25 percent for them/75 percent for me of the master license fee. Plus they get 100 percent of the publishing, since I am just doing covers and they own the song, I only own the new masters.

Do you guys think that this fee is fair? 25/75 Publisher Representation Fee/Me

[fret17]

I don't know if this is any help to you, but I usually go by if I really want to do something or not....First, is it going to be worth my time?..or be a royal pain...I'm supposing it's something you want to do, but you don't want to feel short changed or taken advantage of....every deal is different.....sometimes..if you take less than you want the first time....you may have a bigger bargaining chip the next time around...sometimes it's not just about the money.....you will have bragging rights as well that may help generate new deals with other labels after the fact....but bottom line...what ever you decide, be happy with that discision and keep building from there...HTH........

[Casey H]

I recommend you review the contract with a qualified music attorney. Entering a deal with a major player without your own attorney reviewing what you sign isn't the best way to go. It's not necessarily about the financials- that's part of it but I'm sure there's lots of other contract language that should be looked at.

Off the top of my head, not knowing enough about this, the 75/25 sounds fine if all other factors are positive. But caution, I'm not fully qualified to answer.

Best of luck!
Casey

[matto]

DEFINITELY hire a qualified music attorney when dealing with a major label or publisher, especially if we're talking about a deal that involves a lot of masters to be produced on an ongoing basis.