No Sync/Master Fees? TAXI #Y110627RK

[ChrisMorris]

I'm confused on this listing about whether or not it's a worthy deal to follow.

It's a buyout, so you lose copyright. It says you get performance royalties, but no sync or master fees. What type of fees exactly does that exclude (if it airs on tv? trailer plays on tv or a theatre?)

Thanks for any help!

[mazz]

Sync and master fees are one time up front fees, sometimes paid by production companies for the use of music in a production. The sync fee is paid to cover the synchronization of the composition and the master fee is paid for the use of the master recording of the music. Most times these are combined into one fee but are covered by two different license contracts (which are sometimes rolled into one document).

In many cases these days, there are no sync or master licensee fees paid by the production company. They use the music and file a cue sheet with the PROs. If your music was used and is on the cue sheet, then your PRO will send you a check 6-12 months later.

Most of the music I've been placing has been for cable TV reality shows and I've not seen any sync or master license fees from that, only back end royalties. I did have an HBO placement that paid a license fee up front. Some network placements pay up front.

You don't necessarily lose your copyright in many cases, you do, however, sign the publishing over to the library or publisher. Often times, even that is limited to certain markets, for instance, you may still be able to sell your music on iTunes since that doesn't compete with the libraries' marketing to the production houses. Every contract is slightly different in this regard.

I take sync and license fees as a bonus and not as a prerequisite for signing a contract with a publisher. If the publisher can get great on going placements, that's worth a lot because those will continue long after that license fee has been spent.

Also libraries and publishers that pay a commission fee to have something composed for them usually will take the contract under a work for hire and also may or may not share the license fees. Sometimes they will but it might be less than 50%. Again, the contract will stipulate.

Just my 2c, hope it helped answer your question.

Mazz

[ChrisMorris]

Excellent answer! Thank you very much for clearing that up