Releasing songs that are signed to a library

[peeyo]

Hey all,
I have quite a few of my songs signed to an exclusive deal with a music library (via a Taxi forward ). I asked them if it was OK for me to sell the songs on my own (either by releasing them on a CD or on Itunes etc.). The songs have interest from my local peeps and I also know that if a song gets a placement in TV (WB etc.), it has a great chance of selling lots of copies! I talked to them and they were very nice about it and said that royalties would be split with them (they are sending me an updated contract so I've yet to read it). But something to that effect. My question is.......is this pretty standard when you are licensed with a library?
Thanks,
PO

[mazz]

I would think it would work something like this:

You make CDs of your music and are able to sell them at your gigs, CD Baby, iTunes, etc. Basically you keep the profits from selling the music to the general public.

If a TV producer hears your song at a gig and comes up and wants to use it in their next production, the correct answer would be "that would be great, here's the number of my publisher, they handle all the licensing for that song".

Basically selling your music directly to the public is not a competing market, but marketing your signed music directly to producers, etc., is, by contract, the exclusive domain of the library/publisher.

Just my 2c

Mazz

[matto]

Actually, if it is a truly exclusive deal they will participate in ANY income the songs generate, no matter the source. If the deal is not truly excusive, but exclusive for film/tv placements only, then the answer mazz gave is correct.

This is really a question you should've asked before signing the deal in the first place. You need to know what a contract allows you and doesn't allow you to do with your music, before you sign it...otherwise you don't really know what you're signing...

[peeyo]

Thanks for the replies. They made it sound like they get a share of the profits from CD/mp3 sales as well as tv/film etc. use. Rookie mistake I suppose. Although, it's not the end of the world because I only have a handful of songs signed with them, and I have plenty more in my arsenal that I can sell on my own.
I'm not upset, glad to have my songs working with someone. Just going to be more cautious in the future.
PO

[peeyo]

I'm slowly trying to get my S together on this whole thing. I'd love to take a class on the whole business side of what we do. Contracts and the copyrighting process are a real thorn in my side.................maybe one day I can make enough from my music to hire a secretary

[mojobone]

If only there were some sort of co-op for all the administrative BS.......

[peeyo]

No doubt!

[Cat Herder]

Matt and Mazz have it spot on. We are strictly exclusive and have specifically placed a clause in our agreement allowing writers the freedom to allow for any sales that are exclusively for the personal entertainment of the purchaser. Even in this case the writer is not allowed to change the title of the work. So the devil is in the details. As Matt said, be careful when exicuting an agreement. If your intent is to ever use that music outside the exclusive agreement, then that specific permission should be inside the agreement.

Dave