Licensing Question...

[eeoo]

Howdy Folks -
My band has been offered a licensing deal by what looks to be a very large entertainment company with a big publishing division. I'm wondering how to go about gauging this company's reputation as I'm relatively inexperienced in all this. Just trying my best to be prepared and to do my due dilligence. Any thoughts, words of wisdom, advice etc. would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! Ethan.

[guscave]

Hi Ethan,
First you will want to ask them what placements have they had in the last few months (not years). Then if possible contact those writers to get their feedback.

Other things to consider is; what type of deal they're offering. Is it exclusive or non-exclusive. How are they splitting revenue? How long will they hold the rights, etc.

Also, how did they find you? I'm very weary of companies that contact me through Facebook or Myspace.

[Casey H]

Hi Ethan
I'd talk to a music attorney about this. If it's a big enterainment company, he will probably have heard of them and you will need advice on the contract anyway.

Congrats and good luck!
Casey

[eeoo]

Thanks guys,
Gus, good idea, I will see if I can have a word with him and get a sense of what they've been up to, who they work with etc. We made contact through a friend of the band, he is good friends with the guy who contacted us, gave him our record and, apparently, he loves it. So it's not just some random internet connection.

Casey, I saw John Braheny talking with Laskow yesterday and was thinking of setting up an appointment with him to review the contract and just knock it around with him.

If anyone has good knowledge of the various licensing/publishing firms out there and you have a sec to PM me I could give you the company name and see if you have opinions/knowledge, etc.

Thanks so much! Ethan.