Hi every one. Sorry that this is not about a new track of mine. However, I know I can get the right answer from this site.
 
I received an offer from "Half Note Music" I was hoping to find out from all of you if you heard of them, and how you grade them before I sign any thing.
 
Please help me out.
 
Thank you, Terry

Never heard of 'em Terry, and Google brings up nothing except a music school. Got a link to their site?

There is also a Half Note Music Publishing Company.

http://www.halfnotemusic.net/about-us.html


Here is a link to a page where someone who got a similar offer discusses it in a forum.

http://www.songwriter101.com/forums/viewthread/88336/


Here is a link to a page where a music group talks about signing with Half Note, though both websites looked like they were designed by the same person so I don't know how objective their claims are.

http://2ndavemusic.com/2012/06/28/2econd-avenue-signs-with-half-note-music-publishing/

They emailed me through sound click. That makes me wonder about them.
 
jamesg1213


Never heard of 'em Terry, and Google brings up nothing except a music school. Got a link to their site?

What kind of offer? Was it an offer to use your music commercially in some way? 

I do know of a few people who were contacted through sound click by people wishing to use their music in a project. It turned out to be totally legit.... no money involved but it was legit. 

There are scammers & sharks out there, so read the contract they are offering very, very carefully.  Understand it thoroughly before signing it.  These lowlifes prey on the ego of songwriters who want, more than anything, to get a song into some sort of commercial project. (making money)  

Anybody can put a web site up and say anything they want on it. 

Things to look for in a contract: 
1. Reversion to you after a certain time limit (usually 24 months) if the song is not released commercially. 
2. No out of pocket expenses to be paid by YOU...ever. 
3. Clearly defined payment amounts for royalties and license fees earned. 
4. Exclusive or non-exclusive... Basically, does signing with them make the song exclusive to them or are you free to pitch it in other places. 

note: these are only a few things that should be in every contract. look at the Songwriters Guild contract to see what an ideal contract will encompass. Libraries and publishers are free to offer any contract terms they wish. It is totally up to you to understand what the terms are and know what you are signing..... because they WILL hold you to those terms. 

ALL PUBLISHERS must be associated with one of the PRO's. (performing rights organizations) ASCAP, BMI, SESAC or one of the many other smaller or foreign PRO's.  Find out who they are associated with and contact the PRO for more info on them. Due diligence is called for in this matter. 

Many new libraries look for music to start a catalog. however, the better ones, I do not believe, will be trolling the sound click site (or other music sites)  to find music. Very few people go into a business with no contacts what so ever. the music business especially. Someone starting a new music library or publishing company would certainly have a number of writers whom they have known and worked with in some company in the past as well as producers and artists who they can pitch to that they have worked with and know. 

That one thing (contacting you from sound click)  in itself makes me a bit wary, and I would read the details very, very carefully. 

I was contacted a few years back in this same manner..... through the sound click site. It was a scam designed to separate me from my money. 

there are legit libraries out there who will listen and evaluate the music and sign it IF it is the quality they seek.  

Pump Audio, Yooka Music, &  Crucial, are a few libraries that I have music with. Look them up and submit the tunes to them. They will review and offer to sign if they like the tunes. These have also been around for many years. Google searches can locate many more publishers and libraries. the songwriters market guide is also a source for hundreds of publishers and libraries in the USA and around the world. 

As hard as it is to get a respectable and legit publisher to listen to my music, I would be wary of anyone who came seeking me, an unknown writer. Just speaking from my experience in this biz so far with trying to get something released commercially. The bar is high, and the good opportunities are sought after by the best of the best writers.

Guitarhacker




I do know of a few people who were contacted through sound click by people wishing to use their music in a project. It turned out to be totally legit.... no money involved but it was legit. 

Yep, SMB were one of those..we got approached by a guy making a travelogue movie about the Buffalo River, Arkansas. Turned out nicely, he used 5 of our tunes. There are some good guys out there.

I recall Janet had a tune used in a small budget documentary and I recalled someone else..... thanks for reminding me. 

Yes there are some opportunities that do present themselves in odd ways that are legit. Generally low or no money, just bragging rights... but sometimes, on small projects, that is enough.

Thnaks every one
.
 
this is the form I'm being asked to sign. I don't understand some of it. It's a tough read. I think some of us on this site can learn something from it . Just in case some one wanted to read it this site put the lines through it because it's so long. It comes out nice if you copt and past it to word pad or something.
    
 
1. Purpose.
 
Licensor owns and controls one hundred percent (100%) of the master recordings (the “Masters”) and underlying musical compositions (the “Compositions”) listed in Schedule “1” (attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference) (the Masters and Compositions are sometimes individually and collectively referred to as the “Licensed Work”). Licensor desires Licensee to render Licensee’s music placement services for the Works, and Licensee desires to do so, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. Licensor and Licensee may add or remove Masters and/or Compositions from the list of Licensed Works by way of a written notice signed by both Licensor and Licensee. Master recording owner(s) agrees to allow Licensee to exclusively license the master recording for placement in (1) movies, television programs, or any other audio/visual work associated with or otherwise embodying such television programs, films; (2) a CD-ROM; (3) soundtrack or other record usage; (4) gaming music; (5) an Internet website; (6) DVDs, videocassettes and other configurations designed primarily for home viewing; use in any other media not specifically set forth herein and either now known or hereinafter devised, including but not limited to iTunes and other electronic and/or digital distribution technologies. Any legal action brought against Half Note Music Publishing for alleged infringement (copyright or otherwise) by the master recording shall be the responsibility of the master recording owners (“Licensor”) and not Half Note Music Publishing or its agents.
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Engagement & Appointment.
 
(a) Licensor hereby engages Licensee on a non-exclusive basis to render music placement services for the Works and such other services appending thereto as are customary in the U.S. entertainment industry. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Licensor hereby grants to Licensee the rights to authorize third parties (each, a “Designee”) to use and exploit in any manner (e.g., without limitation, to include and/or embody, make synchronization uses of, transmissions, broadcasts, public performances, recording, re-recording, reproduction, distributing) (each, a “Designee Exploitation”) any and all of the
Licensed Works in connection with such third parties’ audio-only and audiovisual works (including, without limitation, motion pictures, television programs, commercials, advertisements, videogames, soundtracks, soundtrack albums, compilation albums, etc.) as well as any trailers, marketing, promotional, commercial and/or advertising works that may be created in connection therewith (individually and collectively, the “Third Party Work”). Licensor acknowledges and agrees that each Designee may exploit each Third Party Work utilizing any Licensed Work(s) via any and all methods, manners, configurations, media, formats, transmissions and/or broadcasts now known hereafter devised (the 2“Licensed Media”) throughout the universe (the “Licensed Territory”). In this regard, Licensor further acknowledges and agrees that Licensee shall have the right and authority to negotiate and settle any and all terms and conditions of each and every Designee Exploitation, including, without limitation, the specific type of use (e.g., without limitation, to include and/or embody, make synchronization uses of, transmissions, broadcasts, public performances, recording, re-recording, reproducing, distributing) (the “Licensed Use”), the period of time (each, an “Exploitation Period”), the territory and media applicable to the Designee Exploitation and/or any conditions and/or limitations thereto, without the need to consult or seek approval from Licensor with respect to any such terms or conditions. Further, Licensor agrees that each Licensed Work shall be accorded a new title (each, a “Licensed Title”) for purposes of making each Designee Exploitation hereunder.
(b) Licensor hereby appoints Licensee as Licensor’s attorney-in-fact to sign and execute any and all licenses, contracts and/or other instruments of transfer as may be necessary or desired by a Designee to grant, effectuate and/or record any Designee Exploitation authorized and/or negotiated by Licensee hereunder.
 
3. Compensation.
 
In consideration of the rights granted hereunder, and the parties’ respective warranties, representations and covenants hereunder, Licensor and Licensee hereby agree:
(a) that one hundred percent (100%) of the “publisher’s share” of public performance royalties derived from any Designee Exploitations of any Licensed Works hereunder shall be payable to Licensee and Licensee shall have the right to directly collect and make such registrations necessary to enable Licensee to be paid and directly collect such portion of public performance royalties; (b) that one hundred percent (100%) of the “writer’s share” of public performance royalties derived from any Designee Exploitations of any Licensed Works hereunder shall be payable to Licensor and Licensor shall have the right to directly collect and make such registrations necessary to enable Licensor to be paid and directly collect such portion of public performance royalties; (c) that Licensee shall have the right to negotiate for, be paid and collect one hundred percent (100%) of any and all other fees and royalties (i.e., all fees and royalties other than public performance royalties) (the “Additional Fees”) that may be due or become payable in respect of any Designee Exploitation of any Licensed Work hereunder, it being agreed that Licensee shall pay fifty percent (50%) of such Additional Fees”) to Licensor in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4 below.
 
 
4. Accounting.
 
(a) Licensee will account to Licensor in respect of Licensor’s portion of Additional Fees (if any) no less frequently than on a semi-annual basis, with statements and payments sent within ninety (90) days after the applicable semi-annual period.
(b) Licensee shall maintain books of account concerning Designee Exploitations for which portions of Additional Fees are due to Licensor hereunder. Licensor, or a certified public accountant, on Licensor’s behalf, may, at Licensor’s sole expense, examine Licensee’s said books solely for the purpose of verifying the accuracy thereof, only during Licensee’s normal business hours, upon reasonable written notice and only at the location where Licensee maintain said books and records. Licensee’s such books relating to any particular royalty statement may be examined as aforesaid only within two (2) years after the date rendered and Licensee shall have no obligation to permit Licensor to so examine Licensee’s such books relating to any particular royalty statement more than once. Licensor shall be deemed to have consented to all royalty statements and all other accountings rendered and payments made by Licensee hereunder and each such royalty statement or other accounting shall be conclusive, final, and binding, shall constitute an account stated, and shall not be subject to any objection for any reason whatsoever unless specific objection in writing, stating the basis thereof, is given by Licensor to Licensee within two (2) years after the date the applicable payment or accounting is rendered (whichever is earlier). No action, suit, or proceeding of any nature in respect of any royalty statement or other accounting rendered by Licensee hereunder may be maintained against Licensee unless such action, suit, or proceeding is filed against Licensee in a court of competent jurisdiction within three (3) years after date the applicable payment or accounting is rendered (whichever is earlier). The rights hereinabove granted to Licensor shall constitute Licensor’s sole and exclusive rights to examine Licensee’s books and records.
 
5. Warranties, Representations, Indemnity.
 
Licensor warrants, represents and agrees that (a) Licensor has the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and grant the rights granted by 4 Licensor to Licensee hereunder; (b) that Licensor is under no disability, restriction or prohibition, whether contractual or otherwise, to execute this Agreement and to fully perform Licensor’s obligations hereunder; and (c) that neither any name(s) used by Licensor, the Work, any other matters or materials incorporated therein or supplied by Licensor hereunder, nor any exploitation or use of any of the foregoing, will violate or infringe upon any civil, personal or proprietary right of any person, including, without limitation, trademarks, trade names, copyrights and rights of privacy and publicity. As between Licensor and Licensee, Licensor shall be solely responsible for and shall pay any and all artists’ royalties, musicians’ royalties, producers’ royalties and other royalties of any kind whatsoever which may be payable by reason of any other exploitation of the Works hereunder; and Licensor hereby warrants and represents that the only amounts payable by Licensee in connection with Licensee’s (or a Designee’s) exploitation of the Works hereunder shall be the amounts payable to Licensor hereunder and that, accordingly, no royalty or other amounts are payable to any third party in connection therewith. Licensor will indemnify, save and hold Licensee, and Licensee’s assigns, licensees, directors, officers, shareholders, agents and employees (including, without limitation, the Designees) harmless from any and all liability, claims, demands, loss and damage (including attorneys’ fees and court costs) arising out or connected with or resulting from any breach of any of the warranties, representations or agreements made by Licensor hereunder.
 
 
 
 
6. Miscellaneous.
 
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Licensor and Licensee, and cannot be altered, modified, amended or waived, in whole or in part, except by written instrument signed by both parties hereto. Should any provision of this Agreement be held to be void, invalid or inoperative, such decision shall not affect any other provision hereof, and the remainder of this Agreement shall be effective as though such void, invalid or noperative provision had not been contained herein. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of California. Any claim, dispute or disagreement arising out of, connected with or in respect of this Agreement may be brought only in the courts of the Commonwealth of California or the federal courts within the Commonwealth of California, which courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction thereof, and each party hereby waives any claim that such courts do not have jurisdiction or are an inconvenient forum. All notices hereunder required to be given to the parties hereto and all payment to be made hereunder shall be sent to the parties at their addresses mentioned herein or to such other addresses as each party respectively may hereafter designate by notice in writing to the other. Licensee shall have the right, at Licensee’s election, to assign any of Licensee’s rights and/or delegate any of Licensee’s obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, to any third party, to any 5 subsidiary, affiliated or related company, or to any person, firm or corporation owning or acquiring a substantial portion of Licensee’s stock or assets. This Agreement is personal to Licensor, and Licensor shall not have the right to assign this Agreement or any of Licensor’s rights hereunder, or to delegate any of Licensor’s obligations hereunder, to any firm, corporation or company other than to a corporation which stock is owned ninety percent (90%) or more by Licensor and provided Licensor and such corporation executes any and all documents Licensee deems necessary to reserve all of Licensee’s rights hereunder. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, neither party hereto shall be deemed to be in breach of any of its obligations hereunder unless and until the party asserting a breach shall have given the other party hereto specific written notice, of the nature of such breach and said other party shall have failed to cure such breach within thirty (30) days after its receipt of such notice; provided, however, that the foregoing right of cure shall not be applicable to any breach which cannot be cured, an application for injunctive relief or where a specific cure period is otherwise provided herein. Licensor acknowledges that Licensor has carefully read this Agreement, that Licensor understands and agrees that Licensee cannot advise Licensor nor has advised Licensor concerning it, that Licensee has not made any representations to Licensor concerning this Agreement other than those expressly contained in writing herein, that Licensor has the right to consult legal counsel concerning this Agreement and that Licensor has either consulted with such legal counsel or, without having consulted such legal counsel, is satisfied that Licensor fully understands and agrees to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Licensor and Licensee cause this Agreement to be executed as of the first date written above.

  
 

Ok so it looks to be a legitimate song contract to me just skimming it quickly.  It is kinda short but has most of the important things in it.

It has the normal 50/50 split in it. 

It is a NON-exclusive deal which means you are free to do what you want with it even after signing it with them. You can sell the song and or sign it with other companies which are non-exclusive.  Generally the advice in this business is to treat ALL first signings of songs as EXCLUSIVE.... in other words, don't sign it anywhere else if you sign it with Half Note. 

I did not see any sort of reversion clause or time limit where the song is your sole property again if it is not used in a certain time. The thought on this will vary as to is this good or not.  Generally now, I like to see a reversion clause BUT I don't really worry too much if it is not there.  Reason: hopefully you keep writing and the writing gets better so that in 2 years, you probably don't want to recapture the song and try to plug it all over again. AND..... if you pull it out of a library, it is NOT available to producers to license to their projects. So, let it stay in the library and set there.

I know a fellow who was in the habit of recapturing his songs in the early days. He forgot to recapture one of them and it sat forgotten (by him) in a library for several years. On his PRO statement one day, there was a listing of a song that had a couple hundred dollars in royalties. When he looked it up, he discovered the song he had forgotten to remove.... and from that point on, he never recaptured a single song. 

If it was me, I would likely sign the song to them and forget about it and keep writing more.  In the TV/film business it is not about any one song since the royalty numbers per song are normally only a few dollars per song per use. the money comes with having lots of songs out there making a few dollars each per month and it builds..... this is a business.  Getting a pop/country hit is a totally different story.... that is like hitting the lottery financially and statistically.... but the work that is required is still there. 

Signing is only the first step, but it is an important step. Congrats on that. 

Good luck with it.