Maybe someone can shed some light on this for me. I was reading on the taxi.com FAQs and came across this little bit of text in regards to music licensing and dealing with a music supervisor that’s interested in your music.
From everything I’ve read so far, it seems like this advice this would not apply to strictly instrumental placements. Is that correct? Almost every listing for instrumental stuff that I’ve come across asks for some or all of the publishing rights, and many are exclusive deals. (My guess is that this sort of deal on happens for music libraries and not deals directly made with supervisors?)They want your song! Now what? A good idea when first licensing your music is to have a manager or attorney or someone who really understands licensing to help you evaluate the deal for use of your music. Things to be considered are intent of use, scope, and fee. Once there is a verbal agreement, make sure to get it in writing as well.
It is important not to devalue the song by licensing it for whatever a user offers. But also be aware that music supervisors may let you know their budget constraints give them no room for negotiation; that's when you determine if the exposure is going to make the deal worthwhile. Think of unknown group, A3, placing their song "Got Yourself a Gun" in the then un-known HBO pilot, "The Sopranos."
Walk away from any deal that asks for 1. your publishing 2. exclusive rights to your songs 3. your music in any way they want and for any length they want.
If I am understanding this all correctly so far, and I plan on doin both intstrumental and songs with lyrics, I guess the approach is very different in regards to how you negotiate things? How many of you guys actually consulted with an attorney the first time someone inquired about your song?
Sorry if this was covered somewhere else! And thanks for your patience as I continue to try and wrap my brain around all this stuff!
Andrew