[DMBandit]

Hi all,

I was hoping someone here could breakdown and explain what the below means:

**Term for instrumentals is 5 years with 1 year rollover; for songs it's 3 years with 1 year rollovers. Performance split: 30% of pub share and 100% of writer share to writer/composer. Back-end royalties: 34% to artist/writer

Is this a good deal, what does it actually mean in terms of royalties?

Thanks!

[Alan Starkie]

Does this ask that you not have affiliations with a PRO society? 34% is BAD.

[DMBandit]

I don't really understand what any of it means to be honest!
What does rollover mean?
30% of Publisher share and 100% of Writer share I think is good?

[Alan Starkie]

It seems that the contract entails you receiving your writers share @ 50% of the songs 100% earnings and also 30% of the publishers share (30% of 50% that the publisher claims.

I have no idea why a publisher would give away 30% of their cut?!

At the end of the contract, if you don't tell them formally, your contract with them will automatically renew got another 12 months and so on.

That's what I can gather from your description.

You aren't in a knowledgable enough position to sign this and I suggest you take legal advice before doing so.

[Boydie]

Alan is right - get some proper legal advice!

At the risk of sounding like a perpetual advertisement for them (and I am not even currently a member) I think your best bet would be to join the Guild Of Songwriters & Composers (GISC) - it will probably be a lot cheaper to join them for a year than it would be to get a specialist lawyer to look over your contract

GISC members get free advice on this type of thing 

I will resist posting "my take" on the wording as you really need a proper steer on this one!

[DMBandit]

Thanks a lot for the responses guys. Can I assume that the GISC is only for people living in the UK (I'm in Ireland) ?
Good tip though, I may be able to find a similar organisation over here. Thanks again.

[Boydie]

Can I assume that the GISC is only for people living in the UK (I'm in Ireland) ?
Good tip though, I may be able to find a similar organisation over here. Thanks again.

LOL - unfortunately I left out the "I" of GISC in my description - which stands for INTERNATIONAL so I think you will be fine

When I first looked the website looks awful & amateurish - but don't let that put you off

I have spoken to them and they are great

Good luck - it all sound very exciting and I would love to hear more about what is going on with your "deals"