Question about non-exclusive contract and retitling

[ComposerLDG]

Hi all, I have a question that maybe one of you more experienced veterans can answer.

Let's say you sign a non-exclusive contract, and the library states they will retitle AND register the retitled works with your PRO (which is good!). Should I go ahead an register the original titles? Or doesn't it matter? I'm thinking that since the tracks are non-exclusive, it would be a waste of time to register them since they will probably wind up registered multiple times under different titles.

That said, I will likely treat them as exclusive even though they're not.

Thanks,

-Loren

PS: I understand that no one is giving me legal advice. I have my attorney looking over the contract right now. I just wondered about what the common practice on this is, if there is one.

[hummingbird]

Ummm well the point of registering is to collect royalties for performances of that specific work, so, if you are treating the non-exclusive as exclusive I don't see the point... ? However I haven't had coffee yet this mornin'...

[ComposerLDG]

Well true, Vikki. I guess the larger question is whether to register at all, unless it's a direct to supervisor pitch. The libraries seem to want to do it themselves.

[hummingbird]

Exactly, so I don't register unless requested or if direct to sup.

[Russell Landwehr]

This question comes up a lot, Loren.

Generally, don't bother registering anything unless asked to do so by the Library. OR... if you've placed something directly with a music supervisor where there is no middle-man publisher.

Libraries (usually) like to handle the registration themselves. But if for some reason they need YOU to register, they WILL tell you.

There is no real reason to register a title unless that title is being synced to video.

HTH
Russell

[mojobone]

In case that wasn't clear, the library that re-titles your track will register it under their new title, and split the proceeds per your agreement, for the placements they earn; if you're able to license it directly, it's up to you to register it, both as writer and publisher; it's a little extra work, but in that scenario you get all the sync fees and all the backend. When you work directly with a music supervisor or indie film director, they'll most likely expect you to register, but it seldom hurts to ask.

[VanderBoegh]

Let the libraries handle all PRO registrations. That's part of their job. If they come up with their own title, you may just want to ask them what that new title is so that you can keep good personal records. In some cases, libraries want you to do the retitling yourself, as they'll register whatever title you give them (so it needs to be different than any other title you have). Either way, let them register the track unless otherwise requested.

~~Matt