Music Library. title change, and PROs

[simonparker]

Quick question for those who have experience with music libraries changing titles of your song for pitching purposes....I've got a song signed to a music library last week. I had same song signed to a 2nd music library 7 months earlier. I registered my song with my PRO (BMI) 7 months ago. New library is larger and has more connections and is more promising. They want to change the title of my song. If song gets in TV show or movie through this larger library under alternative title, will I lose out on royalties through my PRO b/c the song is registered under the original name? My PRO says no, but I am unsure and don't want to trust just one source, even if it is, BMI.Your thoughts please?

[simonparker]

Nevermind. I just learned two things today...one about re-title of a song, and one in learning to READ everything sent to you by the music library...I'll post it here for anyone who might be interested:2. You authorize us to re-title the song, which will be the name that will accompany the music when sent to our clients, and the name used on the licenses. When the music is used, you authorize us to register the song under the new title with your performing rights organization (PRO i.e. ASCAP, BMI or SESAC), and allow us to collect the publisher's share of the performance income created by the use of your song. You should NOT register the new title as an alternate title on any current or future registration of your song, as this will cause conflicts in our ability to collect the publisher's share; if you do so, we'll ask you to remove our new title from your registration. The performing rights organization will pay you directly for the writer's share of the performance income created by the use of the song. If you are not a member of one of the above PROs, we urge you to become a member before you sign the deal with us. We DO NOT own your publishing. We are only collecting 50% of the performance income for the licenses we have generated. You are receiving the other 50% of the performance income directly from the PRO. We will monitor the PRO reports to make sure that you are paid your share, and if a use does not show up on the report, we will track it down with our client and the PRO.

[suzdoyle]

Very helpful post, Simon. Thanks for sharing it!Suz

[telaak]

in the same situation w/a library ~ thanks for clearing that up