Music Business/Law Tips - "Neighboring Rights"

“Neighboring Rights” mean an artist is entitled to royalty payments for the public performance of masters in key foreign (i.e., non-US) countries. This form of royalty is payable only to the record label (50%) and the performers on the master (the other 50%). It does not pay the songwriters whose songs are embodied on the masters. Money is collected from performances of the master on/in foreign radio, TV, theaters, clubs and restaurants. For an American artist to be eligible to collect, the master must have been recorded in a participating foreign country (e.g., the UK). A record recorded in the US generally does not qualify. Like joining BMI or ASCAP to collect songwriting performance income, an artist must join a foreign neighboring rights collection society to get paid. One of the best known ones is the Dutch society called SENA [http://sena.nl]. Ben McLane Esq Benmclane.com

Music Business/Law Tips - "ISRC Codes"

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code, and is like a bar code for recorded music that identifies songs and videos worldwide sold in the digital realm, and helps tracks digital sales/royalties. It is required to have an ISRC code to sell on iTunes and to chart in Billboard. Each song on an album (or each single) has to have its own ISRC code. You can get ISRC codes here: www.isrcmusiccodes.com (the current cost is $32/song). Don’t forget you still need a separate bar code to sell a physical CD. Ben McLane Esq Benmclane.com

Music Business/Law Tips - "Fan Discovery"

It is important for an artist and his/her music to be discovered by the masses to create fans who will buy their art. The Internet allows for anyone to put themselves in a position to be discovered, but there are a few key things that must be in place: 1. Create multiple sites. The main ones would be a website, a Facebook page, a Twitter page, and a YouTube channel. 2. Add the necessary info/content to the sites. At a minimum make sure there is music, videos, photos, a bio, and show info. And make sure the metadata is correct and consistent across all sites. Ben McLane Esq benmclane.com