How does a lyricist without a PRO get paid?

[PeterD]

Hey!

Most of the time, collaborations take place between people already involved in and know the business. They already know how to register their portion of the music with their PRO, etc.

I have a question regarding a friend of mine, who has no desire to be involved in the business, other than to provide lyrics. I explained to him I'd gladly split ownership of our song with him and take care of everything that needs to be done (submissions, marketing, etc.).

Since he's not set up with a PRO, how would he collect royalties if there's no sync fee involved?

If there is a sync fee and we have, say a 50/50 split, should I just write him a check, minus whatever his portion of the tax would be?

Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Thanks,

[hummingbird]

In my humble opinion your friend should register with a PRO. It's really not all that involved or difficult. You two are going to run into problems with libraries and publishers if he is not registered. He will need to sign the paperwork for the tracks as well as you, and provide his IPI number and contact information with them.

Now if he says he doesn't want to be involved and that you can own the copyright... as much as you are friends I'd advise against doing this because you have to avow to libraries and publishers that the song and the master are yours and you have full rights to make agreements for it... if, down the road, you were making money on that track and he changed his mind... see where I'm heading?

But to me it's more about making sure my collaborator gets their share of synch and back end as they should.

I'm not a lawyer or anything, IMHO, if he wants to collab with you then he needs to do a little bit of business so you can be comfortable and assure any end users that the track is free and clear from potential litigation.

[Casey H]

I'm assuming that your lyricist does want to be co-owner of the copyright and earn 50% of income from the song(s).

Your friend really does need to join a PRO as a writer to collect PRO royalties. Once they do that, and a song is registered with you as co-writers, that part goes on auto-pilot.

Also, most libraries require that all co-writers are PRO members and that you supply the CAE/IPI numbers for all. For sync fees, some libraries will split the payments for you, others will pay you and then you are responsible for paying co-writers their share. Regardless, most will insist on PRO membership for all.

As Vikki said, joining a PRO as a writer is pretty simple. There may be a fee associated it but well worth it. I think ASCAP charges $50 now to join as a writer. BMI may be free to join, please check.

Good luck!
Casey

[PeterD]

Thank you for validating.
That's pretty much what I thought the answer would be.

[mojobone]

IME, trying to have a professional relationship with someone who wants to keep their amateur status is no bueno. As ever, your mileage may vary and I am not a lawyer, but as soon as any significant money's involved, you need a framework for conflict resolution.

[mobster85]

Your friend really needs a PRO. Its really not that much. Have this person join. Encourage. Thats how the business works. Good luck Peter.

[Kolstad]

Well the bottom line is that if your friend won't sign up with a PRO, and you insist on collaborating on work with professional aims, you will have to manage his rights by representing him when you sign the music to a library/ publisher, and make sure you also distribute his share when you get royalties/ placements. Basically, you will have to do his administrative work and act like his manager. If you don't get the proper paperwork done, you can be the target for a lawsuit by either parties.