Why Not to submit tracks to your PRO

[janbaars]

I didn't really understand everything that was being said during the Taxi TV episode of 2 weeks ago about the business side and PRO's and all.
So, here's my question.

Is it really necessary to submit all tracks that are being forwarded by Taxi to your PRO?
Would there be any reason to not submit certain tracks, or maybe wait until you make the deal with the library?

[hummingbird]

It's very simple. The purpose of registering a track with your PRO is to collect royalties owed for performance/broadcasting.

A forward is just a forward. The track is not signed, nor placed, so there is no need to rush into registering it with your PRO, IF such is required.

Depending what you are submitting for, a PRO registration is not necessary and can actually make more work for the (exclusive) end user, as you will not have registered it the first time with the proper shares and therefore the registration will have to be changed.

IF you have submitted to a direct to supervisor, then yes you might want to register if needed to ensure you get your back end.

Generally speaking, if you are submitting to Film/TV listings, you'll want to wait and see what the library/publisher wants if and when you are contacted but in the majority of cases they will register the track with the proper shares either after it is signed or when it is placed, either under the original title (exclusive) or possibly the retitle (non-exclusive).

Frankly, I don't understand the rush to register a forwarded track. When I register a track with my PRO it is processed in two or three days. If I got a deal and in the unlikely event that I needed to do/was required to do a PRO registration, it would be showing in my catalogue the same week they will have received and filed my contract and schedule A.

HTH

[janbaars]

That's very helpful.

I'll just register tracks forwarded for 'direct to supervisor' listing and just wait with the other stuff.

Thanks man!

[Paulie]

What I've learned so far is that librarians vary on the deal. Some want you to have your tracks registered with your PRO, others want to do it themselves. Personally I'd wait until you receive contact from a library and then ask them what their preference is.

[Russell Landwehr]

That's very helpful.

I'll just register tracks forwarded for 'direct to supervisor' listing and just wait with the other stuff.

Thanks man!

This is still not advisable. If the track doesn't get picked up by a supervisor, and you shop it to a library, then you could run into a registration headache for the library. I would advise to NOT register anything unless you actually get contacted by a supervisor, or a library asks you to register a song.

Regards
Russell Landwehr

[janbaars]

cool, that makes it even easier!


Thanks all!

[Casey H]

Just to echo the good advice already here...

It would be best NOT to register your tracks unless:

(1) You have an actual deal (not just a forward) directly with a music sup to use the track.
(2) A music library you are entering a deal with advises you to do a registration.

Otherwise, there is no advantage and POSSIBLY disadvantages.

Best
Casey

[Russell Landwehr]

Casey is always so succinct and Organized (with a capital Oh!)

I bet he has this in a #PowerPointPresentation #LaughyFace #Cool #Hashtag

[guscave]

Just to add; You might want to consider registering your song if you are submitting to royalty free libraries. Even though RF libraries don't cater specifically to broadcasters, there are some occasions where music on RF catalogs have found their way into TV spots.

I had one track that did just that and the only way I found out about it was through my BMI statement. It was a nice surprise...

[daveydad]

Chiming in on this... so years ago when I first started out in this grand adventure called production music, I went ahead and registered all the tracks I had then with my PRO. Of course, now I have this immense number of songs to go through and would like to clean house a bit. Is there a way to have our PRO delete ones we specify?