[Fmpro] ASCAP - AMAZING SCAMMING COLLECTION AGENCY PROCEDURES

[Fernando Rivas]

Well I can do all that but isn't that ASCAP's job?


On 11/30/06 12:16 PM, "Scott Szabo" <scott at szabosoundandmusic.com> wrote:

> I have never had any success calling the member services line. I suggest you
> contact some one at the TV dept. I also suggest that you call the production
> company (or its distributor) and see if you can get an episode and
> syndication number (preferably a cue sheet) for the show to submit to ASCAP.
> Yes, it's a lot of work. Doing so means you have now opened a "Collections
> Dept" for your business.
> 
> Scott Szabo
> Szabo Sound & Music
> 2400 Central Parkway, Suite C
> Houston, TX 77092
> 713-956-7451
> www.szabosoundandmusic.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fmpro-bounces+scott=szabosoundandmusic.com at nxport.com
> [mailto:fmpro-bounces+scott=szabosoundandmusic.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of
> Fernando Rivas
> Sent: Thursday, November 30, 2006 9:59 AM
> To: fmpro at nxport.com
> Subject: [Fmpro] ASCAP - AMAZING SCAMMING COLLECTION AGENCY PROCEDURES
> 
> 
> 
> On my last statement (Nov.06) from ASCAP I received a $38 payment which came
> through ASCAP from SOCAN when an episode from the now defunct Rosie O'Donell
> show was rebroadcast in Canada which contained a song I wrote for Gloria
> Estefan.  On the episode Gloria Estefan was Rosie's guest and she
> spontaneously sang, a capella, a verse and chorus of my song (Mambo I, I, I
> from the Sesame St. CD Elmopalooza which had recently won a grammy) and got
> Rosie and the audience to join in and sing along.
> 
> Here's the kicker:
> I've never gotten a single penny for the United States showing of that
> episode, whenever it aired. I wouldn't have even known about it if I hadn't
> seen it. When I contacted ASCAP I was told I would need to obtain the
> episode number in order to track down what happened or I can start an
> inquiry which would take three years.  I was told I can't contact SOCAN
> directly to find out more about the episode which obviously reran in Canada
> and was accurately reported and when I asked how much money (ballpark
> figure) we're talking about for US royalties on something like this the rep
> on the phone had no clue and said no one else at ASCAP would know either.
> 
> I also asked for ballpark figures on a show, primetime Disney Channel, I'm
> currently scoring, and was told it was impossible to figure it out.  So I
> guess that's like saying - we'll pay you when we pay you - and that's IF we
> frigging pay you.  I was also told that such information is secret for
> members because it involves agreements made with licensees.
> 
> New acronyms for ASCAP:
> 
> ALWAYS SCREWING COMPOSERS AVOIDING PAYOUT
> ACCOUNTING SECRECY CONFUSES ALL PARTIES
> 
> Fernando Rivas 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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