Collaboration work- A couple a questions

[edmondredd]

That's probably a no brainer thread, but just wanted to double check
Working on some cues with another musician(s) requires the fact that the collaborator(s) is/are registered to a PRO?
Is it possible to collect the royalties (if any) say by myself and then redistribute it to the collaborator(s) as agreed initially? Is there such a thing?
Does it matter which PRO is the different collaborators are in?

and also, juste to double check on this point: the different collaborators don't have to be taxi members if I'm submitting to Taxi listings, right?

Thanks a lot,

[cassmcentee]

Working on some cues with another musician(s) requires the fact that the collaborator(s) is/are registered to a PRO?
Yes if they are to be named as collaborators for percentages and if they wish to collect any royalties
Is it possible to collect the royalties (if any) say by myself and then redistribute it to the collaborator(s) as agreed initially? Is there such a thing?
I assume you could if they remain NAMELESS and you are the sole listed writer, but you could possibly ruin a career in Film/TV with litigation?!?
Does it matter which PRO is the different collaborators are in?
No, just make sure you have all of the proper IPI#s
and also, juste to double check on this point: the different collaborators don't have to be taxi members if I'm submitting to Taxi listings, right?
That is correct, though Taxi members are generally easier to work with given that Michael and friends have taught us the importance of having our "ACT" together...

Thanks a lot,

[andygabrys]

one thing you didn't ask but is usually the first order of business:

Have a collaborator agreement that spells out clearly what the ownership of the piece(s) is. Writer split. Publisher split if self-publishing. General Agreement that if its signed to library you allow library to take publishers share, maybe even a limited power of attorney form to allow one person to sign off (which might be important seeing that you are overseas and depending where your co-writer is it might be easier to ink a deal)

Everything else usually follows naturally if you have that.

As far as collecting all royalties yourself and redistributing:

Technically its not totally correct if you do this - but the main reason not to do it is its a royal PAIN to send parts of your earnings here there and everywhere to co-writers that you might have. Maybe right now if you only have a couple of pieces, fine, but if you use this way of working when you have several hundred cues being placed you can see what kind of a make work project you will end up with.

[cassmcentee]

...Andy has Spoken!
What he says!!!

[VanderBoegh]

Technically its not totally correct if you do this - but the main reason not to do it is its a royal PAIN to send parts of your earnings here there and everywhere to co-writers that you might have. Maybe right now if you only have a couple of pieces, fine, but if you use this way of working when you have several hundred cues being placed you can see what kind of a make work project you will end up with.

Not to mention that it will artificially inflate your annual income when your PRO sends out your tax income statements, and you'll face the burden of tax payments on the whole thing. Maybe not a huge deal if you're only talking money figures in the hundred dollar range. But when you get those suckers up to the thousands, it's a major consideration.

~~Matt

[andygabrys]

Technically its not totally correct if you do this - but the main reason not to do it is its a royal PAIN to send parts of your earnings here there and everywhere to co-writers that you might have. Maybe right now if you only have a couple of pieces, fine, but if you use this way of working when you have several hundred cues being placed you can see what kind of a make work project you will end up with.

Not to mention that it will artificially inflate your annual income when your PRO sends out your tax income statements, and you'll face the burden of tax payments on the whole thing. Maybe not a huge deal if you're only talking money figures in the hundred dollar range. But when you get those suckers up to the thousands, it's a major consideration.

~~Matt

+1 - good call.

[edmondredd]

Thank you Cass, Andy and Matt for your invaluable answers..
Will write that down for future reference,
again thanks a million