Articles island - a directory of quality articles, free quality articles reprint for your web site and email newsletter.
Free Articles Reprint for Your Web Site, Email Newsletter, Blog, Ezine and RSS Feed.
Submit Your Articles to Our Article Directory for Massive Exposure.
Total Live Articles: 92613  Total Categories: 389



 
  Advanced Search
Articles island Expert Author - Linda C Dipman
I was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, but I have spent most of my life in Kansas. I am a business woman who has run my own upholstery business for over thirty years. I have three married children and six grandchildren. In my spare time, when i'm not entertaining my grandchildren, I like to travel, read, decorate, and of course I love to write. My passion...
Home » Arts-and-entertainment » Music » How To Handle Your Music Business

Articles island Expert Author - Keishon Martin
Author Name:
Keishon Martin

Country:
United States

Member Since:
3 Jan 2008

Total Live Articles:
21



Email to Friends
Rate this Article
Bookmark this Article
Print this Article
Report this Article
Leave a Comment





How To Handle Your Music Business

By: Keishon Martin
Total views: 6
Word Count: 1612
Date:Jan 10th 2008
Article Rating: No Ratings Yet

As you might know already that, finding the right name can take a lot of time and few know that it can end up becoming a waste of time, where if you do not own, your own name is very dangerous cause you can spend countless hours, months, and maybe years promoting your stage name to find out that it has already been owned or trademarked by another artist anywhere else in the world.

In return you will have to find a new name or spend tons of money to use a name that somebody else owns, which can also make you look foolish to any record labels as well as prevent you from signing, when you are pursuing or being pursued for a record deal. Simply because if a certain major record label did not check if somebody is using that stage name already and then they put your album out, then that same person owning the name legally can and will sue the record company, instead of suing you, just for the usage of that name.

(Quick note) if you are ready to sign a record deal, then you should be aware that the record company that plans on signing you to a contract will take ownership of your stage name, publishing and copyrights all for themselves with out you ever taking ownership. Which is the only way for the record company to protect their investments, as in this typical clause of contract it forbids the artist from utilizing his or her name to advertise or promote other records made by other artist or firms?

As this restriction might seem natural and the right to do. However if the artist is likely to produce or perform on records of other artist, he or she may seek to trademark all associated names. So now the first step into owning your stage name which is basically owning your self, is to trademark, and do not be confused about trademarks and copyrights, because the difference between the two is that copyright protects the expression of and the usage of words, whether its in a printed or in a musical format. Whereas a trademark serves as something like an identification badge that protects the name that is attached to a particular service or product like a recording artist and it keeps the public from confusion as to the source or identity of the products or sources involved.

For example say if I called my self-50cent and then I put out an advertisement saying that my album is going to drop next month then I would be able to make money based on his name alone. But if he didnt own the name 50cent by trade marking it, then I would be able to use his name, and then trade mark it to prevent him from ever using it again.

The differences between Copyright and Trademark COPYRIGHT

U.S. Copyright Office

- The copyright lasts as long as the life of the author and 50 years after his death.
- Certificate issued by the government without a search for other conflicting names.
- The notice of copyright can be used from the first publication.
- The copyright is needed for published and unpublished music at any time.
- Originality is needed for a valid copyright.
- And whoever uses the copyright does not need to supervise the person using the copyright.

TRADEMARK: United States Patent and Trademark Office

- A trademark last for 10 years which has to be renewed.
- A certificate issued by the government only after a search for conflicting names, a notice to the public of the pending application, and an opportunity for objections to be filed.
- You will receive a notice indicating a registered federal trademark.
- Registration not allowed until proven in use.
- Originality is not needed for a valid trademark.

The next phase I want to get into is to incorporate and this very important cause this is where you must separate your personal life from you business and it also earns respect from record labels. Incorporating is to enable you to become the actual business.

Incorporating will help you to separate your personal identity from your business. Sole proprietors and partners are different in which you are subject to unlimited personal liability for business debt like any monies being owed to the record label for putting out a album that didnt sale. Once incorporated, the shareholders of a corporation (which can be family or friends or your business team) have only the money they put into the company to lose, and usually no more.

Corporations can offer protection to its owners. For example, if you want to open an independent label or studio of any kind and do not want your involvement to be public knowledge, your best choice may be to incorporate. If you open as a sole proprietorship, it is hard to hide the fact that you are the owner. And as a partnership, you will most likely be required to register your name and the names of your partners with the state and/or county officials in which you are doing business.

A corporate structure communicates permanence, credibility and stature to the record companies. Even if you are the only stockholder or employee, your incorporated business may be perceived as a much larger and more credible company. Seeing, inc. or corp at the end of your business name can send a powerful message to the record executives, suppliers, and other business associates about your commitment to the ongoing success of your venture.

Basically incorporating would ensure ownership of oneself and the products that the person creates, whether its is musical, books, movies scripts, jokes, poems (etc.) in which it will also allow you to pay separate taxes on all musical profits, apply for business loans on whatever you might need as well as pay all the people that works for you like, your agent, manager, business manager, lawyer, stylist, producer, and so fourth.

Now you will need to take your incorporated name and then you need to sign to one of the three Performing-Right Organizations, which are something like a union for songwriters and publishers.

A.S.C.A.P

Founded in 1914, ASCAP equally shares its revenues with songwriters and music publishers. It collects on a general basis to all stations, be it radio or television for use of ASCAPs entire musical catalog. With the fee being based on the gross receipts of the station, which they are basically paying ASCAP to play your songs on the their station. There is no fee to sign up to ASCAP as a songwriter or a publisher. But what is needed to sign up with ASCAP as a song writer is that you must have had at least one song commercially published or recorded, and for any publisher who has had at least one song commercially published and/or recorded and publicly distributed for at least one year,

B.M.I

As for BMI, which is a major competitor of ASCAP, is actually owned by 300 broadcast stations. BMI was started in 1940 by broadcasters as a move toward increasing broadcast industry bargaining power with ASCAP as well as become an alternative to songwriters and publishers who are not affiliated with ASCAP. So with BMI, operating just like ASCAP, it charges broadcasters a licensing fee to play music created by BMI registered artist. Unlike ASCAP, BMI pays all the money it collects unto its affiliated songwriters and publishers. With some set aside for operating costs and reserves.

To sign up with BMI as a song writer or a music publisher you must have had at least one song commercially published or recorded, and for any publisher who have been currently working in music and had at least one song commercially published and/or recorded and publicly promoted and distributed for at least one year, and the terms for an publisher affiliation is 5 years and the terms for the song writer affiliation is 2 years.

SESAC

It is well known that SESAC is the smallest company out of the three Performing-Right Organizations in the country. SESAC is a private silencing company started up in 1930. Where SESAC is different from BMI and ASCAP is that it pays 50 of the profits after first taking out some money for expenses and then keeping the rest of the profits for themselves. What further makes SESAC different from the other two companies is that in SESACs collection of payment to artist, is not based on how many times that your song plays on the radio unlike BMI and ASCAP, but instead on the position of the song on the charts. It also pays based of the growth of your catalog of copyrighted songs (basically how many new songs you write and submit to them) and additional bonus payments to song writers and publishers in respect to a certain song, are paid for crossovers (songs on more than one type of chart), being on the charts for any long period of time and for any music that has achieved a top 10 spot on the charts.

(Quick Note) remember that no certain song writer or publisher can collect money from more than one Performing-Right Organizations for the exact same songs at the exact same time, as double memberships is not allowed or even a split membership as far as being a certified song writer with ASCAP and being a publisher with BMI.

About The Author-- Keishon Martin is the founder of KeyWorldWide Inc. which owns and operates www.GetRichinMusic.com www.AllVidCity.com www.GetMoneyMoney.comwww.BodyGuidePro.com visit their websites

Article Source: Articles island - Free article submission and free reprint articles


Most Viewed Music Articles




Most Viewed Music Articles:

Sources For Personalized Music CDs For Children
My Very Own Music CD was one of the largest successes in the history of the children's music industry. By craf...

Can You Learn To Play The Saxophone?
The saxophone uses a single reed mouthpiece like a clarinet, but with a round or square evacuated inner chambe...

Guitar Tab: Learn To Play Yankee Doodle With Guitar Tab
You can learn to play melodies on your guitar even if you do not know sheet music notation. We will instead us...

Don't Leave Vinyl In The Past
Time to dig out those old Vinyl records, and start getting some classic tunes on the go. With the latest turnt...

Sugarbullets Amplified Rock T-Shirts
The mood has lightened over at Amplified, home of Vintage Rock t-shirts. The dark and slightly noir skulls, sn...

CD Business Card – Perfect Marketing Tool Available Today
CD business cards and DVD business cards are the latest and cost effective marketing tools available today. Fr...

Are Singing Lessons With A Vocal Coach Necessary?
Many aspiring singers are undecided whether they need a vocal coach to improve on their singing skills. Are yo...

Some Tips To Help Your Children Get A Good Night's Sleep
Everyone knows that for adults it is very important to get a good night's sleep in order to be a fully functio...

Getting The Most From Your Guitar Practice Sessions
Playing the guitar is probably one of the great hobbies anyone can have. There is something to be said about p...

So who are The Vibrators?
Ever wondered who the hugely popular british punk rock band The Vibrators are? Read on to find out more about ...


Recent Music Articles




Recent Music Articles:

Sugarbullets Amplified Rock T-Shirts
The mood has lightened over at Amplified, home of Vintage Rock t-shirts. The dark and slightly noir skulls, sn...

How can one write songs?
There was an interesting post today on a message board that I go to. It was about a guy that just started a ne...

Time for the music of the 70s.
We all associate songs and music with events in our life. Many songs hold special memories for us. We fondly r...

CD Business Card – Perfect Marketing Tool Available Today
CD business cards and DVD business cards are the latest and cost effective marketing tools available today. Fr...

Best Satellite Radio Service - Aspects To Consider
Are you thinking about purchasing a satellite radio? There are a few things you should know in advance of inst...

The Moonlight of Debussy's Clair de Lune
Clair de Lune is a piece of music that has stood the test of time. It is a piece that is constantly evolving,...

Learn The Top 2 Secrets That Will Keep Your Audience Returning For More
This article discusses methods for musicians and entertainers to keep their audiences engaged and entertained ...

Get More Fans, Gigs And Get A Record Deal By Promoting Your Music Plays And More Profile Views
Learn how to use your Myspace player to get noticed and get more fans. Climb the charts, get more fans, gigs a...

Ten Tips To Help You Produce A Better Song
Although recording has afforded us the luxury of new wonders and expectations being met within the music scene...

Tips On Buying Used Music Gear
This article talks about the advantages and disadvantages of buying used music gear. This can be very helpful ...

Most Viewed Articles by Keishon Martin




Most Viewed Articles by Keishon Martin:

The Real Dangers Of Myspace Surfing
The myspace website is an hot bed for sexual predators preying on teens and young children and here are some o...

The Quick Fix On Myspace Backgrounds
Now with millions of new users signing up to the myspace website per month some do not know how to add a backg...

Bad Credit Wont Stop Me From Getting Money
Just because you have bad credit does not mean that your life is over because I did get A second and third cha...

10 "Superfoods" For Bodybuilders
Tired of the same old foods? Remember to consume a wide variety of healthful foods. Because a healthy bodybuil...

What You Need To Record A Great Album
This is how we will begin with the development of the music product It self to be sold in an overall effort to...

How To Record With The Right Attitude
We must first start off with the focus of attitude, knowledge, and understanding, in finding right direction i...

Get in Great Shape for 08
Learn how to gain muscles the natural way by adopting the mindset of a successful bodybuilder....

How To Pass Your American Idol Audition
I want you to know exactly what is needed to pass and what is the purpose of the American Idol franchise, incl...

The Basic Rules of Gaining Muscle
Gaining muscle is no mystery. Attaining it is quite simple and straightforward. All you have to do is bust you...

How To Handle Your Music Business
We must understand with respect that the music business is more important than the art of music so we must fir...

You have permission to publish or reprint this article in your ezine, website, blog, forum, RSS feed or print publication, free of charge. As long as you keep this article with no changes(included Article Title, Article Body, Author Name, Article Source and keep all links in this article active)and you agree to our publisher terms of service. Below are ready HTML code for this article, you can copy and paste directly into your web page.

How To Handle Your Music Business -- HTML Version:


How To Handle Your Music Business -- Summary:

How To Handle Your Music Business -- Keywords:
1   2   3 Good!   4   5   6 Very Good!!   7   8   9   10 Excellent!!!  
Comments:
No Comment Posted.

Leave Comment: Please Login to leave a comment. Not a member yet? Sign Up now.