[Fmpro] FMPRO Digest, Vol 33, Issue 36 Message: 8-9 Composing vs Licensing

[Edrums@aol.com]

Mark:

Thanks for the answer regarding composer vs licensing!   I figured that made 
sense about keeping the publishing.    I will definitely do that regarding 
independent films as much as possible. 
 
The inbalance between instrumental and vocal cues seems extremely out of date 
and unfair.   I would think that Kubrick's use of music, in 2001, Speilberg 
and Williams in Close Encounters,   and Hichcock and Hermann in everthing they 
did would would prove the case beyond a doubt.    Is Beethoven not worth the 
same royalty as Britney Spears?!??!

Maybe all of the member composers (especially instrumental) together could 
work together to pressure ASCAP and BMI to fix the vocals vs. instrumental music 
fee inbalance?    Something tells me there are LOT of composers on THIS 
message board that would be interested (based on the recent postings!   Lots of 
complaints, but no action.).   I assume PROs want there membership to be happy.   
How about a sign-up list (example below....This just a start, many of you 
know a lot more about this, and can probably add much better wording, etc.    I'm 
just learning about this, but as an AFM member, I know that there is power in 
numbers, and the AFM and other representational musician organizations might 
be willing to help.)

"As a member of BMI or ASCAP I would like for those organizations to review 
the current inbalance in royalties paid to members regarding vocal and 
instrumental music cues.     The current rates are out of date, as instrumental and 
vocal cues can have the exact same value to visual media.   Other countries pay 
much more reasonable royalty rates for instrumental compositions.    The U.S. 
PROs need to equalize these rates, especially considering current agreements 
between world-wide PROs."
1) Ed Hartman
edhartmanmusic.com
edrums at aol.com
(206)634-1142
Olympic Marimba Records (BMI)
2) ? - Anyone want to run with this?   If I'm way off here, please let me 
know.   I'm just a composer concerned with my future earnings.




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