[Fmpro] Yes We Can) The Arts

[Mark Northam]

On 2/6/08 11:36 AM, "Louis King" <lking1 at nyc.rr.com> wrote:

> ASCAP screws composers .... we all agree on it ... it seems like
> rarely a day goes by that it isn't mentioned ( and I'm not implying a
> day should go by that it isn't mentioned ). It is a serious issue
> that needs to be addressed. Having said that I have rarely seen
> anyone on this list say "How dare you do that project for that little
> money , it is short-sided and it COSTS US ALL IN THE END" .

I see these as two entirely different situations...

A single composer has a ton of competition and often very little leverage,
so a single composer saying "No, I won't work for cheap" can have very
little traction in the marketplace.

We pay ASCAP millions every year to collect and distribute our royalties,
and they set the royalty rate for score music on television unilaterally and
without having to answer to anyone but their membership. They could reform
score rates today if they wanted to with the stroke of a pen, and BMI and
SESAC would have no choice but to follow or risk losing a lot of members.

For many experienced composers, royalty income is the majority of their
income. And, it's the one area where the people who set the rates work for
us, instead of the other way around. If we can't muster enough collective
effort to get the people WE PAY to reform their policies, what hope do we
have of getting the people that PAY US to do so?

Mark Northam