Newbie Q about publisher vs writer

[Paul]

Ok this is probably a silly question but it’s something that’s been confusing me.

A friend and I set up an LLC and we write our music under our business name. We registered with ASCAP as writers and the business as the publisher.

From what I understand, when we send to non-exclusive libraries and they retitle, we do nothing on our end when it comes to registering the song with ASCAP since they register ASCAP with all our information along with the retitle song. Is this correct? If so, at what point would we even need to register our songs as writers with ASCAP?

In addition, if we go through non exclusive/exclusive libraries, we pretty much will never use our ASCAP publishing account, right?

[Michael Nickolas]

Yes, re-titling is simply a method for various non-exclusive publishers to be able to collect royalties on the same piece of music, as ASCAP is not set up to handle this any other way. The non-exclusive libraries will register with all your information. You will want to keep track of titles so they never duplicate.

You can register your songs under their original title with you as writers and publishers any time you want. I do this, as sometimes I’m able to license a piece direct or get my entire catalog directly to a music supervisor, no library involved.

You may end up using your publishing account, so it’s good to have. The rare company out there will split publishing – that’s one instance.

[Paul]

Thank you Michael, that really cleared it up.

“The non-exclusive libraries will register with all your information. You will want to keep track of titles so they never duplicate.”

So are you saying that I should contact the library and ask what they retitled the song to? Or, once they register it with ASCAP, will it automatically appear in my account?

[Michael Nickolas]

Usually a contract with a non-exclusive library will contain a schedule listing the new titles. Many companies these days simply use the original title plus an identifier. Yes, once registered it will be view-able in your account.

[Paul]

Thanks! 🙂

[Author]

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