[Fmpro] Film Contract

[Merritt Music Productions]

Lev,

No.  I would suggest to NOT signing this.  Here are my suggestions:

Best choice:  YOU own the music and grant them the rights to use it ONLY in
this film.  They are able to broadcast this film as needed and able to
create DVD's or whatever.

They should NOT be able to:

Use Music for other audiovisual production - This is absurd.  You should not
allow this.

Right to use Music for sequel and prequel - You should be hired to score
those separately.  They should NOT be allowed to reuse the music.

Basically, they should be able to use your music ONLY in this ONE film, and
perhaps the soundtrack release.  If this is a low budget and/or you are not
being paid VERY well, you should keep ownership of everything and grant them
the proper rights to use your music in the film.

Remember, you can present this to your client as a simple and easy deal.
You still own the music, but they can use it however they need in this ONE
film.  It looks to me like they are taking advantage of you, whether or not
they realize it.

Les and everyone, please respond with your suggestions asap, so he can make
an informed decision!

Chris

Merritt Music Productions
9701 Clearwater Drive
Knoxville, TN 37923
merrittmusic.com
865-357-5473

-----Original Message-----
From: fmpro-bounces+chris=merrittmusic.com at nxport.com
[mailto:fmpro-bounces+chris=merrittmusic.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of Lev
Zemlinski
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 7:19 PM
To: fmpro at nxport.com
Subject: [Fmpro] Film Contract

I'm working on feature film produced by local company
in cooperation with American company. Now it's time to
sign a contract which, I suspect, is translated from
some American one. 
Can anybody tell me:
is it common practice to grant following rights to
producer (in my translation):

- right to publish and produce the Music on any
carriers separately from Film;
- right to use Music for other audiovisual production;
- right to use Music for sequel and prequel;
- rights for all written Music (used and not used in
the Film).

Thanks in advance,

Lev Zemlinski

http://www.zemlinski.ru

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