[Fmpro] $ depletion

[Merritt Music Productions]

Hi Mark,

When you mention "publishers" I wonder if we should be a little more
specific.  It seems to me you could look at this as 2 groups of publishers:

Group A:  Companies that own the copyright to mostly what we would think of
as "songs."  These companies normally will have the goal of exploiting their
copyright in a way that is largely directed at the consumer, such as CD
sales and pure radio airplay (of the work itself, not with the work as
underscore.)

Group B:  Music Libraries - Companies that own the copyright to large
amounts of music, generally unknown to the consumer.  These companies will
normally have the goal of licensing their works to other businesses (i.e.
not the consumer) and living off of the licensing fee plus the performing
income.

In this view, I see a divide of interest forming.  Group A's music is
considered song by a PRO.  Group B's music is not.

So why do the music libraries not band together and demand fair treatment
from the PRO's?  Fear?  I really doubt it.  Some of these companies are
HUGE; a PRO cannot intimidate a large company.  In fact, I wonder why some
of the bigger libraries are not investing in people to get this changed.  A
large music library would stand to make millions from a move to 1-1.  A
conglomeration of libraries would make even more.

Mark, have you considered approaching the music libraries with the idea of
creating a lobbying organization for the purpose of PRO reform funded BY THE
LIBRARIES?  With full time staff and everything?  The interests of such an
organization would match many of the interests of individual score
composers.

My thoughts...

Chris

Merritt Music Productions
9701 Clearwater Drive
Knoxville, TN 37923
merrittmusic.com
(323) 319-3469 (Los Angeles)
(646) 502-7469 (New York)
(865) 300-5473 (Mobile)

-----Original Message-----
From: fmpro-bounces+chris=merrittmusic.com at nxport.com
[mailto:fmpro-bounces+chris=merrittmusic.com at nxport.com] On Behalf Of Mark
Northam
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 4:28 PM
To: fmpro at nxport.com
Subject: Re: [Fmpro] $ depletion

Hard to call it a monopoly when there are 3 PRO's to choose from, plus you
can choose to direct license and not use a PRO...

Problem is, as Peter Myers found out when he simply wanted to classify his
music with a live vocalist as a "background vocal", ASCAP will spend any
amounts of OUR money to legally bury anybody and everybody who fights "the
system". They have a virtually unlimited legal defense fund paid for by the
very same members who, some believe, are being treated incredibly unfairly.

Not to mention they're in regular communications with the publishers,
studios, production companies, etc., and from my experience have not been
shy about "warning" people about associating with those who they do not
approve of.  What composer is going to put his/her career at risk and spend
a lot of money to try and solve these kinds of problems?

I'll say it again, we need a well-funded industry group whether it be a
guild, union, or otherwise, to deal with these issues. And we need a group
that is not bending over backwards thanking the PROs for their funding at
every opportunity...


Best,

Mark Northam


On 10/24/06 1:05 PM, "Louis King" <lking1 at nyc.rr.com> wrote:

> I think it would be hard to call it anything other than a
> monopoly ......  hence against the law ....
> 
> also I believe they like any big business operate on the line between
> legal and illegal making a large home in the GREY area ....

---------------------------------
Mark Northam - Publisher
Film Music Magazine
The Professional Voice of Music for Film & TV
http://www.filmmusicmag.com
1-800-774-3700 x702 / (310) 645-9000 x702


_______________________________________________
The Film Music Pro List is sponsored by Film Music Magazine -
http://www.filmmusicmag.com

To edit your list options or unsubscribe, visit:
http://nxport.com/mailman/listinfo/fmpro

-- 
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.11/493 - Release Date: 10/23/2006