Would you sign an exclusive 10-year contract?

[thor]

Hi Gang,
I could use some advice.
I received a contract that I am asked to sign with a music library.
I'm no entertainment lawyer, but I'm reading the contract and it looks like it is an exclusive contract for 10 years.
And there is no advance payment.

Is this common? Would you sign something like this?

I like this company and I could see myself working with them for a long time,
but I'm not sure about this contract.

Before I sign, I'd love some advice!

-Thanks,
-Thor

[andygabrys]

I wouldn't be worried about it if you find it easy to make music. A lot of exclusive deals are in perpetuity, so its nice this one is 10 years, but there is not much different between the two.

If on the other hand you write 10 tunes per year and that's it, you might be more selective.

Keep in mind that in most cases getting upfront money upon signing is a "sync buyout" where you might only receive royalties from those pieces in the future. So as part of a "balanced portfolio" this can be a good part, but to sign everything as WFH may not be the best plan, just as signing all pieces as exclusively in perp may not be the best plan.

Check this out:

http://www.taxi.com/transmitter/1504/kn ... lingo.html

[thor]

Thanks, Andy! That's very helpful.
-Thor