[Fmpro] Libraries

[LesHurdle]

On Dec 14, 2007, at 4:56 AM, Brad Heck wrote:

> Do you want to keep 100% publishing, 100% writer and 50% mech and  
> 50% sync?
> Thats doable.

Where?

> Can the library license your stuff and make enough profit
> to keep the lights on under that deal?  Does the buyer want to  
> account for mechanicals
> on a quarterly basis for song A when song B is available without  
> the accounting hassle?

How about the derivative right............  how will the composer  
'account' or be accounted to  in the download world?
>
> To me, a library is an agency, one that has  the composer  
> outstaffed 4 to 1.
>
> A second way to look at this is...if the library does not have the  
> publishing on
> Johnny but does have the publishing on Jane, who do you think they  
> pitch harder?

Correct.. and this is most certainly the case with those libraries  
who sub pub other libraries where the sub keeps their composers  
mechanicals but has to pass along 50% of  a.n. other libraries  
composers.

How many guys on this list have ever seen any money from DW's  
cassette survey scheme..... be honest now?
This is not a dig at DW, he really did move a mountain, BUT, if the  
publishing staff choose not to 'find' a piece of music via the survey  
etc......... !!!
How many staff actually know all of my compositions.... and yours?

Great idea, but a band-aid and open to composer abuse.
>
> To me a "good" library is one that gets us plenty of usage, and  
> provides a decent
> backend revenue stream.

Since they benefit also..... however.......... THE CASH COW for  
libraries is NOT [ASCAP/BMI/SESAC etc] it is the mech right.... never  
forget [as you give them up !]

>   I can see why they are unable to pay a percentage of sync
> but I personally choose not to work with them.

The biggest and one of the best Library Co's in the USA, APM, pays  
such fee's and has a huge staff.

The only reason for a company to keep the mech's is as follows.

Greed
They will receive 100% of all income in the future..... ZERO for  
'you'. [You read it here ;-)]

KEEP YOUR MECHANICALS.............  IF YOU DON'T YOU ARE STABBING  
NOTHER COMPOSER IN THE BACK.

L