I am starting to hear more and more nightmare stories about contracts from songwriters and composers. If you are considering signing with a library or agent, please watch this first! www.syncsongwriter.com
Good advice - thank you. It can be tempting for any songwriter/composer to take an advance, because they need the money there and then, but signing away perpetuity is never a wise idea. As for 'advances' from music publishers, this used to be a big thing, but these days they all seem to want 50% with nothing up front. If they have a good recent reputation and are getting placements, then these deals are worth considering, but as you rightly say, "with an exit strategy". I had songs signed decades ago with large global music publishers who still own those rights. (A lesson now well learned not to repeat!)
UK medium to large libraries have In Perpetuity de rigeur in contracts for years now. Standard. I have not seen it in synch contracts yet. I always prefer non exclusive in my Synch contracts so thanks for that heads up 🙏
For sure you will see this in non-exclusive libraries, but that is not always the best place to be. I would investigate higher end agents and libraries that are exclusive and you can negotiate with.
Chris, Thanks for the sound advice. Did they ever find a match to replace ACDC's song thunderstruck for the ad? I was sitting at home reviwing my music that has major opportunities and almost shit my pants. I can't believe I wrote an ACDC like song for the placement. I was going through my music and found the song I should have used for the placement. It actually sounds like cars racing shifting up and down in the song. I was like what no way!!!! I never felt this way about that song or even heard it like that until the placement. When deciding what song to use or just making one how do you plan or prepare for the syncs once ypou have a bunch of music. I understand the targeted marketing but how do you make sure you are sending the song that has the best chance best shot of being sync'd. I'm sure this is not a problem once you establish rapore and have a relatopnship with a Supervisor.
They did find a song for that, but very cool you were able to submit for it. You hit the nail on the head, it is about targeting and even more about relationships with music supervisors.
I signed one of those dodgy "in perpetuity" contracts for 3 of my songs. There have been no placements. The guy won't even return emails/phone calls any more...let me know if you've like to know the name of the guy and his company...
Sorry to hear that. They may have gotten placements with your music and never told you about it judging from their lack of communication. You can go check out a site called TuneSat to see if your song has been used without your permission.
