Writers Contract...fair deal?

[matto]

Calling up Taxi or even the big library he's working with might actually be a good idea.

Calling the big library he's worked for is a horrible idea...you had a good rapport with the guy at the ASCAP thing, right? So why would you go over his head and "spy on him."..how well do you think that would go over?

Just talk to him...tell him that the agreement he's sent over is not really what you had in mind, you were thinking more along the lines of a true co-write. Not to say that it couldn't work with a few changes. Ask him what his plans would be with the songs etc. Just pick the dialog back up.

As soon as people see a contract they freeze like a deer in the headlights thinking someone wants to rip them off now, and start contemplating entirely unreasonable courses of action. That's neither necessary, nor helpful. Just pick up the dialog again. Talk to the guy as you did at the ASCAP thing. Be friendly. Keep your options open.

The worst thing that can happen, you guys figure out that maybe at this time you can't find a way of working together that is comfortable for both parties...no big deal, it's just business, nobody has to get ticked off...

[jdhogg]

How about this for an idea. Might be dumb but what the hell (and I know this deal was not directly related to taxi)

Why does taxi not list for example 5 (or whatever) contracts from which the library has to choose to offer to taxi members.
Each of these contracts can be explained in detail on this site in plain english as to what the pros and cons are.

That way everybody would know exactly where they stand. I find it frustrating that in this industry people waste time and money because they have to ask exactly the same questions because many contracts are legaleze mumbo jumbo.

It would be so simple and the contract code could be included in the listing.

[Casey H]

How about this for an idea. Might be dumb but what the hell (and I know this deal was not directly related to taxi)

Why does taxi not list for example 5 (or whatever) contracts from which the library has to choose to offer to taxi members.
Each of these contracts can be explained in detail on this site in plain english as to what the pros and cons are.

That way everybody would know exactly where they stand. I find it frustrating that in this industry people waste time and money because they have to ask exactly the same questions because many contracts are legaleze mumbo jumbo.

It would be so simple and the contract code could be included in the listing.

Hey JD
This doesn't really make sense. Taxi doesn't dictate to the libraries how to run their businesses. They are independent businesses that have to do what's best for their interests as any business would. Taxi is simply one of many suppliers of music to libraries.

Casey

[jdhogg]

what I am suggesting is not that they agree to writer friendly contracts but they agree to offer contracts in a predefined format that the taxi members understand or can easily check up on.

The contracts can range from better for the artist or better for the library.
In the end both sides weigh it up and choose.

I would guess that the libraries that we know offer better contracts upfront as the code is in the listing will get rewarded with more submissions and therefore better music and thus more $.

[jdhogg]

Taxi does dictate to a degree how libraries do business here.
ML recently posted that he dropped a couple of libraries because he did not agree with some of the things they did.

Point being it has to be right for the library, taxi and the writer.
I think all parties should stand firm on what they think is fair.
all imho.....

[matto]

Uhm...the situation discussed here has nothing whatsoever to do with Taxi other than being discussed on the Taxi forum...

If it were, then I would agree with Casey. Please understand that the music library world is quite big, and Taxi is only one supplier of music to a relatively small percentage of libraries and is in no position to dictate to its clients or the production music industry as a whole how they should do business.

It can however decide not to do business with certain clients. Which it does.

[Kolstad]

JD, there were nothing in Jacqueline's post that indicated this was a library connected with Taxi. A call to Michael could probably sort that out.

If the relation really is good & sound, it should be no problem to take up the contractual issues with the person. I agree you have to give trust to gain trust, and this may just be some legal scrabble hard to decipher.

If it's good business, it also has to be good law, though. I know several who's gotten into trouble years down the road, for not taking care of business in due time. "TCB" like Elvis used to say

Peace tag

[mazz]

what I am suggesting is not that they agree to writer friendly contracts but they agree to offer contracts in a predefined format that the taxi members understand or can easily check up on.

The contracts can range from better for the artist or better for the library.
In the end both sides weigh it up and choose.

I would guess that the libraries that we know offer better contracts upfront as the code is in the listing will get rewarded with more submissions and therefore better music and thus more $.

This would be a great idea if it were a buyer's market! But we all know it's not, so it's up to the composer to learn the game and how it's played.

[rnrmachine]

I agree with Taxi can only do so much... we need, as artists, a soliciter. Taxi provides that service for us. Pretty much end of story there. Anything Taxi does beyond that is above and beyond the call of duty and making themselves a more special aspect in the world of this slowly growing service. I am pretty sure if Taxi found out that a specific library was ripping people off they would warn us about ceratin aspects of that, "Not so desirable contract" and give us a "Buyer Beware" heads up there, for example... The last letter from Taxi was a warning about a new listing they have and what sort of contract it is, they looked up the definition and let us in on the details (read the letter for more info), which is actually the job of a entertainment Lawyer, NOT a soliciter. So it is not a bad idea ya had there, just "asking too much" imho.

SO THANKYOU SO MUCH you guys at Taxi for the extra effort and making us feel cared for by your company.. especially in a world where automated phone services run rampant and the standard is... run em around until they give up. Whenever I call Taxi, I am greeted with a warm and a kind "hello" with the intent in helping me anyway you can. Thank you, I wish I could tell you how much this means to me without looking like dog that has been stuck in a cage too long and someboady is finally showing him some attention. ROFL.. (ok, not that bad, but you get the point I am sure)

Lastly, this thread is about a contract that was written up having absolutely nothing to do with Taxi in any form. It was someone she met at the ASCAP expo. The only thing that is involving Taxi is... the forum that they provide for us... (another thing above and beyond the role of a solicitor) she was able to use to get opinions and advice on that contract.

Rob