Library deal question

[gtrgtrgtr]

Hello all,I have done a couple of library deals before, and have just been asked for a couple of my songs for one. The deal looks pretty much like others except that the sync license fees would be split to where I get 20 percent. I know deals are all different, but thought I would ask some of you who have done more deals than I if this is low? Or is it a fairly common split? The rest is similar to other deals I have done - they get pub I get writers share, non-exclusive, they retitle so I can use the original tune just not with other libraries etc - but other deals I have done split the sync fee 50 50 - so thought I would see what you guys are getting in this area.Thanks so much!!gtr

[davewalton]

Quote:Hello all,I have done a couple of library deals before, and have just been asked for a couple of my songs for one. The deal looks pretty much like others except that the sync license fees would be split to where I get 20 percent. I know deals are all different, but thought I would ask some of you who have done more deals than I if this is low? Or is it a fairly common split? The rest is similar to other deals I have done - they get pub I get writers share, non-exclusive, they retitle so I can use the original tune just not with other libraries etc - but other deals I have done split the sync fee 50 50 - so thought I would see what you guys are getting in this area.Thanks so much!!gtr20% is low by "normal" standards. However, I've learned that the value of each deal has to be weighed against who it is that's making the deal. If you "only" get 20% of licensing fees from a whole host of projects for Disney, for example, you'd do very well, both in terms of income and credits for bigger, better projects.I might get slammed for this thinking, but I tend to "OK" deals as long as they're not out-and-out scams or the limitation of the contracts would severely limit the earning possibilities of the track(s) in question in other venues. AND they have to have possible value in terms of credits so that those credits can be used for influence in gaining future projects, bigger, better projects with other opportunities. Without the value of good credits for future opportunities, low or no-income deals have little or no value. It depends on what your long-term outlook is and how far down the road your long-term outlook goes.If a company that had a good track record for placements offered me that deal, I'd probably take it with the idea that I can always "adjust" that percentage if I became as important to them as they are to me. If you're more important to them than they are to you, then it's not a good deal. Otherwise...?

[guscave]

Hi Gtr,I've been seeing a few deals like this lately too. Maybe it's a growing trend. I've also had offers with no sync payments at all (especially on non-exclusive deals). Try asking for a 50/50 split on the sync fee. It doesn't hurt to try...

[gitarrero]

hi gtr,it depens what kind of library it is: 50/50 is often the case with needle-drop/licensing libraries, but not with buyout-libraries, which is quite a diffrent business modell.with buyout-libraries you would get 20% of the price the customer pays for the track itself. other buyout-libraries would pay you upfront for signing the publishing rights to them in perpetuity - maybe 200-1000 $, most are about 400-500 $. so if it's a buyout-libraries you'd get compensated based on how many times your track has been sold. and of course you'll get the writers share in case the track broadcasts.cheers,martin

[chrisbee]

Hey gtr! Matto gave me some great advice once and that was to ask the library (any library that's interested in you) - what their marketing plan is. Kinda goes along with Martin's point. What is the business model?Also, if it's possible, find out when their credits are from - how long ago. If a lot of their credits are recent (within 12 months) and they are great credits, then 20% may end up being a good deal.I have run into a lib that wanted tunes of mine and they had just started, all their credits listed on their site were from a library they bought from someone else a few years ago (so all the credit listings were 2, 5 or even 7 years old!!). They said it was a 50/50 sync fee split. But in the fine print, they also took a 15% administration fee on top of it. I said no.So anyway, just research them before you say yes or no.cb