question from a Taxi newbie

songwriter7373 · Post by **songwriter7373** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:06 pm

Not sure what section to put this, so apologies if this is the wrong spot.

I'm a new member to Taxi. Joined a few months ago. So far I've submitted to 5 listings and I've had 3 forwarded on! Needless to say I'm digging it and glad to be here! Anyway... I just had a quick question maybe someone could help with. I have few songs that I've released on iTunes through CDbaby.

My question is... Am I able to submit the songs I have on iTunes/cdbaby to listings that state "be sure the songs you submit for this pitch are NOT already signed with any other Libraries or Publishers"?

Much appreciated to anyone that can fill me in on this.

Thanks!
Sean

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 7:17 pm

I don't think iTunes is a library or publisher, so you should be good to go.

3 for 5? That's an outstanding rate. Keep it up!

songwriter7373 · Post by **songwriter7373** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:10 pm

Thanks for the kind words!

To elaborate on my original question... I used "CdBaby Pro" to get some of my songs on iTunes.
In CdBaby's faq they say the following:

"Is CD Baby now my publisher?
CD Baby is not like a traditional publisher; we’re closer to what folks in the biz call an ‘administrator.’ In our role of a publishing administrator, we register songs with Performing Rights Organizations and collect publishing royalties on your behalf. This is different from a traditional publisher that would provide a full suite of creative and legal services (e.g. sync licensing, copyright)."

So I'm curious... if I used cdbaby pro to get songs on iTunes can I submit those same songs to taxi listings that say "be sure the songs you submit for this pitch are NOT already signed with any other Libraries or Publishers"?

Thanks

eeoo · Post by **eeoo** » Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:21 pm

This will depend on the particular contract you sign, I suspect different publishers will react differently but I would avoid signing future material with CD Baby pro in the future if you're serious about getting into the film/tv licensing world.

eo

Russell Landwehr · Post by **Russell Landwehr** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:13 am

Hi, Sean.

Welcome to the Forums and CONGRATULATIONS on the forwards!

yeah, what eo said.

Isn't iTunes a kind of publisher? They just don't do sync publishing.

Sometimes a contract with an Exclusive Library will let you carve out "album sales." But you're not going to know this until you see the Library's contract. It is best to not sell anything on iTunes or the like if you are wanting to shop them to Exclusive Libraries.

Regards
Russell Landwehr

eeoo · Post by **eeoo** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:17 am

In general yes, probably best to avoid putting it up on i-tunes if you plan on pitching it to publishers. But even if you sign something exclusively many exclusive deals will allow you to sell said songs on i-tunes and at shows etc. As long as your not getting other licensing deals. Again, probably not all exclusive deals work this way but the ones I have signed allow me to sell on i-tunes.

ochaim · Post by **ochaim** » Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:55 am

Did you opt in for the administration deal with cd baby pro? From what I remember you can sign onto CD Baby pro but dont have to opt into the admin deal. If you do, it effectively prevents you from signing those songs with any other publishers or libraries.

songwriter7373 · Post by **songwriter7373** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:17 am

Cdbaby pro has sync licensing section that I didn't opt into.

I used cdbaby pro for one album I recorded. They got the album out on iTunes, spotify, rhapsody, etc...
And they registerd the songs for me with ASCAP. And cdbaby acts as my "publishing administrator".

What I'm gathering from all the responses is that it depends on the company that might want the songs.

If anyone has any other info to add feel free. And thanks to everyone that has responded so far!

joyfrost · Post by **joyfrost** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:41 am

CDBaby should be okay if you didn't opt into the sync licensing but TuneCore is definitely out. I've read on a few libraries websites that they won't accept songs that are registered with them.

ochaim · Post by **ochaim** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:58 pm

from the cdbaby pro faq:

If you created a publishing company for the sole purpose of signing up to ASCAP or BMI, it won’t be a problem. But If you have a publishing agreement with a third party (a record label or private publishing company other than yourself) we won’t be able to administer your publishing—as you are already in contract with someone else to do so.

the second part suggests that they want exclusivity on the right to collect on your behalf. it would follow that any music signed with their pub admin deal is restricted from being signed to any library.

what were the benefits that you saw in this pub admin deal when you opted into it?

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