Should I renegotiate the deal or ..?

[Anya]

Greetings,

I belong to a couple of ML with over 325 tracks uploaded.
But STILL trying to understand licensing.

I have one track (two versions, :30 and :15 alt) that is used in the radio commercials of a major US retailer for over a year.
For these tracks I am compensated $1,750 a month.
I have yet to upload the tracks to any music library or BMI.
If I upload to say, Scorekeepers, or AudiiMicro, etc, how does that affect the retailer?
Is there an additional charge to them?

Thanks for your opinion(s)!

[Advice]

Anya
If I understand correctly, your deal with the retailer is direct, not involving a music library. Is your agreement with them exclusive or non-exclusive? If it’s exclusive, you cannot put the track in a music library (or pitch it anywhere else). If it’s non-exclusive, you could place the track in non-exclusive libraries. The ones you mention may be exclusive. I know SK is, not sure about AM. You could look that up here on MLR. You absolutely should register your track under original title (the title used by the retailer) with BMI as you might be leaving back-end PRO money on the table. If you sign with a non-exclusive library, they will register it with your PRO with a modified title such as “PREFIX-Your Title” to allow them to collect the back end for only their placements.

I would absolutely NOT try to renegotiate your current deal!!! You are getting a nice income stream of $1750 per month ($21K per year!!). Very few of our tracks ever make that kind of money. CONGRATS! Don’t mess with what’s not broken. Attempting to renegotiate could end up with them dropping you and it’s not worth the risk.

HTH
😀

[Anya]

Hi HTH,
It looks like my REPLY was not submitted…
THANK YOU for the great info.
It is very much appreciated!!

Best to you,

Anya

[Anya]

Another question…How does registering with BMI affect the retailer using my music? In addition to their compensation to me, are they charged again?
How does that work??
THANK YOU for any insight.
🙂

[1tonemusic]

Hi, Anya

Pro services do not add additional cost to collect money due to you. Their money is made from yearly memberships. All outlets are or, should be reporting a cue sheet(s) to a PRO service so they can track where your placement(s) are being used and then collect all your earnings. Take for instances;

PRO services (Performing Rights Organizations) handle different aspects.

e.g. BMI – collects royalties for intellectual and live performances and MLC (Mechanical License Collective) would collect those fees associated across media and streaming…

If you are US bound, check out BMI, ASCAP or SESAC. Find the one that is right for you. For mechanicals check out the MLC and you can always keep up where your tracks are drawing attention at TUNESAT.

[Author]

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