[Fmpro] Writers strike

[LesHurdle]

Interesting to note the DGA is now involved in 'income via 'The  
Internet'.


Allegedly there is income for composers via Streaming......... anyone  
seen any of this via their PRO statement?


My suggestions for 2008;

Do not sign a contract unless there is a stipulation about your  
mechanical rights [in other words, you MUST have them]*.
Insist on language in the contract which insures you will know when  
your 'work', included in product e.g. is downloaded**.
Insist on gross amount of sale/value at source on your statement, any  
publisher etc who refuses should be exposed since there is only one  
[good] reason not to provide all pertinent data. !
Insist your 'work' is registered with all PRO's around the world.

Join more than one PRO around the world so you have better control of  
ALL of your rights worldwide***.

Join Mechanical copyright protection societies and if your publisher  
wont allow it...... recognize a huge red flag !

Understand problems like weightings, surveys etc re the current MO of  
PRO's is going to be a thing of the past in a short space of  
time....... what everyone needs to do is figure out how they will  
protect their right[s] and their income in the global digital  
world........ as you may have found, suits can't/wont help you now,  
unless the income stream of the future is automated, do you think a  
'suit' is going to look after you in the download world?

Good luck.

The game as we knew it, is over, welcome to 'Screw you 2009'

Les



*      If you don't, then there is NO future for you.
**    How will you know otherwise?
***  EU PRO's do currently have performing rights attached to downloads.