Moral issues with usage?

[ResonantTone]

Hey!

Bit of a strange question I suppose, but has anyone ever run in to a situation where they found their music getting used in film/tv that they were not comfortable with on a moral level?

I was looking through the references of the current request for middle eastern trailer instrumentals, which triggered the question.(I’m not saying these examples are bad/wrong btw.. it justjust got me thinking is all) What if I submit something, sign a contract, and then later hear my music in something that I feel a very strong opposition to?

Would love to hear any personal experience on such a topic if anyone has dealt with it. Legally, it doesn’t seem like there is much you can do if you sign the contract before knowing what the usage actually would be.

Thanks for the thoughts on this slightly touchy subject!

Andrew

[ttully]

Hey Andrew,

Sure I have!
A BMI statement from a few years ago had many plays from some company called Triple X Productions (not the actual name..... but close)...
So of course... I looked them up!!!
All I can say is ...YES!!!! I finally made the big time!!!!

Tim

[VanderBoegh]

Hahahaha, Tim, too funny! That's when you know you've made it, for sure!

And Andrew, you pretty much hit the nail on the head:

Legally, it doesn’t seem like there is much you can do if you sign the contract before knowing what the usage actually would be.

Collect the money and move on. I had a cue placed in a political ad back in November 2016, for an election happening in New York (if memory serves correctly). TuneSat picked up tons of detections, and I was able to listen to the commercial, which was basically just a smear campaign against a candidate's opposition. Kinda turned my stomach, but nothing you can really do about it.

~~Matt

[ResonantTone]

Tim -
LOL.. hadn't thought about that! I think it would be 10x more awkward if it was someones first placement. No bragging to your friends and family about that one I suppose.

Matt - thanks for the thoughts. Always appreciate your insight on stuff around here!

Tom - Glad I'm not the only one to wonder about this sort of stuff!


Thanks guys!

Andrew

[VanderBoegh]

But I think Andrew's question was more a-priori, if a usage is suspected that he might not agree with. My guess is that someone who has an output level like you (Matt) would possibly also just pass on some small change if the purpose for the piece does not feel right, and that can be seen before the fact.

Well, this sounds good in theory, but you'll rarely ever be able to tell where a track will wind up before signing a contract with a music library. The libraries themselves are just chasing dollars, and will allow most reputable companies to access their music as long as the price is right. Which is why political ads for a candidate you don't agree with, or commercials for a product / company you find reprehensible, or a show that you find morally disgusting, will still have access to your music. As long as they can fork over the cash, the library will most likely allow the usage.

I have heard of a few isolated instances where a political campaign wanted to use a track within a large catalog, and the library owner / A&R guy actually asked the composer if they would agree to the use. In one situation I know of, the composer passed on the placement, because he didn't like the candidate. But I think things like that are the exception and not the rule....

However, if you're concerned about it, it would be wise to research the music library and see what shows / networks / clients they have worked with in the past, and maybe even ask them straight up if they ever supply music to (fill-in-the-blank) opportunities, and tell them your concerns. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, although that conversation might have a chance of closing otherwise open doors if approached in the wrong way.

As for myself, I'll take the money however I can get it. Is Vivid Video still in business?!?! LOL!

~~Matt

[funsongs]

You mean like having your Christmas instrumental wind up in a porno flick?! There - I spelled it out.
Maybe that's why it's commonly advised to read the listings carefully.
Like - not that I could write it anyway - but I tend to just ignore listings that have to post WARNING: EXPLICIT LYRICS.
I appreciate they put that in the text. Saves lots of unnecessary reading.

[ttully]

Vivid Video.....
What are you talking about....errrr.....ummmmmm..
Uhhhhhhh.....Never heard of 'em....aaaaa..uhhhhhh....
Well....i gotta go.....uhhhhhh....


Tim

[ttully]

Hey Tom,


As you see.....some things never change!!!

Tim

[DesireInspires]

I actually wrote a cue for a library album that catered to “Adult” situations. It was fun!

[NoizeeBhoy]

It's a risk you take when submitting or making material available to libraries and sync companies I guess. Wouldn't the same dilemma apply though, say, if a song got picked up and got cut by a major artist and that artist subsequently became embroiled in an R Kelly type scandal or a Chris Brown type scandal?