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I am a UK singer-songwriter considering setting up my own label to release my first album. The label would be joint-owned by myself and a producer (in charge of producing all the tracks) and music will be ditributed digitally. Is the minimum I need to do to "set up" a label just to register membership of the label name with the National Business Register?

In return for the producer's services in creating the tracks (provided for "free"), rather than an advance I would hope to give a larger than usual percentage of royalties from sales. Any suggestions on what % would be fair?

Also a question about publishing songs. Am I right in thinking that in practice this is essential to be able to claim royalties from other people using my songs/recordings. In the UK, will registration with PRS for music cover mechanical licensing (i.e. will this organise receipt of royalties from other people recording covers of my songs?) What about performing rights, e.g. if a radio station plays my music? Will I have to register with PPL or similar? What if I want to let a radio station play a song for free - how is this usually done?

Thanks for your help! Elise

Hi Elise

Given that your producer invest his time and studio with no upfront payment a fair percentage of sales would be 50/50. In essence what you're proposing is a joint venture and it's good business practice to ensure your partners do well.

I assume you're the songwriter so you are a self published writer and you need to become a member of PRS and register your songs with them. PPL, probably best to give them a call, I seem to remember they deal with musicians rather than composers and pay out a fee to musicians who have appeared on records that have been on radio or tv. (THis is from memory, best to call them).

Letting a radio station play your song for free.............Not a good idea IMO. This is show business and without the business there's no show. Apart from that, most radio stations pay a fixed performance fee for every track they play. I seem to remember bbc being the highest payer whereas some of the regional stations pay less (again this is from memory from my days of being in a signed band).

I am sure someone else will be happy to explain how publishing works.

Thanks for the info!