I need a publishing/royalties boffin

[Kory]

Does anyone here have much experience with music publishing and songwriting royalties? I'm about to quit my band and I want to make sure I'm covered for my percentage and what that will cover. I have some knowledge, but I'd be interested in picking the brain of somebody that maybe has dealt with it longer.

[Dr. Medulla]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

[Flex]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

I dunno if "2% off the top goes to Ace Frehley" really counts as a standard royalties practice, but who knows.

[Dr. Medulla]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

I dunno if "2% off the top goes to Ace Frehley" really counts as a standard royalties practice, but who knows.

His people used to run the world. All kinds of weird stuff like that was the norm.

[Heston]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

I'd get something printed and signed with a lawyer present. Then give all the proceeds to Ace Frehley.

[Kory]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

I'd get something printed and signed with a lawyer present. Then give all the proceeds to Ace Frehley.

I predict an enormous battle over even talking about this with her ("trust me, i used to do this for a living"). Plus time is a bit of the essence (I'm likely quitting this week), which would make this happening even less likely.

I'm wondering if a "verbal arrangement" over FB messenger or something might be enough. I mean I'm only going to be getting 16.6% of the songwriting credits anyway. I can't imagine an arbitrator or judge would have much problem awarding me that with a chat transcript in existence. Maybe I can get a quick consultation from a lawyer, but I'm not sure we have any entertainment lawyers in Seattle.

[Dr. Medulla]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

I'd get something printed and signed with a lawyer present. Then give all the proceeds to Ace Frehley.

I predict an enormous battle over even talking about this with her ("trust me, i used to do this for a living"). Plus time is a bit of the essence (I'm likely quitting this week), which would make this happening even less likely.

I'm wondering if a "verbal arrangement" over FB messenger or something might be enough. I mean I'm only going to be getting 16.6% of the songwriting credits anyway. I can't imagine an arbitrator or judge would have much problem awarding me that with a chat transcript in existence. Maybe I can get a quick consultation from a lawyer, but I'm not sure we have any entertainment lawyers in Seattle.

Anything "in print" will help, especially if it has a verifiable time stamp on it. Lawyers would undoubtedly muddy that up, but is she in a position to pay a lawyer over this? Unless this album somehow explodes, the amount of money involved likely wouldn't exceed small claims court range, no?

Have you tried searching Reddit? Your situation may have come up and discussion taken place on one of the indie music sections. Not necessarily something you want to go to the bank on, but it might confirm what you know or make you aware of other possibilities.

[Flex]

I predict an enormous battle over even talking about this with her ("trust me, i used to do this for a living"). Plus time is a bit of the essence (I'm likely quitting this week), which would make this happening even less likely.

I'm wondering if a "verbal arrangement" over FB messenger or something might be enough. I mean I'm only going to be getting 16.6% of the songwriting credits anyway. I can't imagine an arbitrator or judge would have much problem awarding me that with a chat transcript in existence. Maybe I can get a quick consultation from a lawyer, but I'm not sure we have any entertainment lawyers in Seattle.

Is there any reason you have to leave this week? I'd wait until you have everything formally arranged, if possible.

[Dr. Medulla]

I predict an enormous battle over even talking about this with her ("trust me, i used to do this for a living"). Plus time is a bit of the essence (I'm likely quitting this week), which would make this happening even less likely.

I'm wondering if a "verbal arrangement" over FB messenger or something might be enough. I mean I'm only going to be getting 16.6% of the songwriting credits anyway. I can't imagine an arbitrator or judge would have much problem awarding me that with a chat transcript in existence. Maybe I can get a quick consultation from a lawyer, but I'm not sure we have any entertainment lawyers in Seattle.

Is there any reason you have to leave this week? I'd wait until you have everything formally arranged, if possible.

ICE raid.

[Heston]

Are you expecting them to sell a shitload of records after you leave or is it a "just in case" scenario?

[Kory]

Are you expecting them to sell a shitload of records after you leave or is it a "just in case" scenario?

Very much just in case. Chances are obviously way against an actual blowup for the band, but I'm thinking about sync rights mostly.

[Kory]

I predict an enormous battle over even talking about this with her ("trust me, i used to do this for a living"). Plus time is a bit of the essence (I'm likely quitting this week), which would make this happening even less likely.

I'm wondering if a "verbal arrangement" over FB messenger or something might be enough. I mean I'm only going to be getting 16.6% of the songwriting credits anyway. I can't imagine an arbitrator or judge would have much problem awarding me that with a chat transcript in existence. Maybe I can get a quick consultation from a lawyer, but I'm not sure we have any entertainment lawyers in Seattle.

Is there any reason you have to leave this week? I'd wait until you have everything formally arranged, if possible.

She's pushing for yet another photo shoot only two months after the last photo shoot and it seems like the universe telling me to get out, because:
1. I don't want to fucking do another one. I hate them, and it's just another example of our vastly different motivations for being in a band
2. I don't want them to not be able to use the photos when I'm gone shortly thereafter

I was planning to wait until everything was secured, likely in October, but she is really pushing for this because nobody else was satisfied with the last shoot.

[Kory]

In case no one's contacted you privately, I'd guess that Heston has some familiarity with this.

I'd get something printed and signed with a lawyer present. Then give all the proceeds to Ace Frehley.

I predict an enormous battle over even talking about this with her ("trust me, i used to do this for a living"). Plus time is a bit of the essence (I'm likely quitting this week), which would make this happening even less likely.

I'm wondering if a "verbal arrangement" over FB messenger or something might be enough. I mean I'm only going to be getting 16.6% of the songwriting credits anyway. I can't imagine an arbitrator or judge would have much problem awarding me that with a chat transcript in existence. Maybe I can get a quick consultation from a lawyer, but I'm not sure we have any entertainment lawyers in Seattle.

Anything "in print" will help, especially if it has a verifiable time stamp on it. Lawyers would undoubtedly muddy that up, but is she in a position to pay a lawyer over this? Unless this album somehow explodes, the amount of money involved likely wouldn't exceed small claims court range, no?

Have you tried searching Reddit? Your situation may have come up and discussion taken place on one of the indie music sections. Not necessarily something you want to go to the bank on, but it might confirm what you know or make you aware of other possibilities.

Reddit is a good idea, thanks! I never think of that place. Because of the racism.

[Dr. Medulla]

Reddit is a good idea, thanks! I never think of that place. Because of the racism.

There's also sexism. I go there for amusing pictures, some music news, and to occasionally argue Canadian politics with people who think liberal means left.

[Flex]

She's pushing for yet another photo shoot only two months after the last photo shoot and it seems like the universe telling me to get out, because:
1. I don't want to fucking do another one. I hate them, and it's just another example of our vastly different motivations for being in a band
2. I don't want them to not be able to use the photos when I'm gone shortly thereafter

I was planning to wait until everything was secured, likely in October, but she is really pushing for this because nobody else was satisfied with the last shoot.

I think I'd try to hold out until you get some firm direction from credible sources (of which reddit... may or may not be).