Soundstr

Tag: Fines

11 Mar 2017
General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?
Brands, Businesses/Venues, Industry Professionals, Performing Rights, Songwriters Brian Penick 0 comment

GENERAL LICENSING: WHERE ARE MY ROYALTIES? [INFOGRAPHIC]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?

General Licensing isn’t a sexy topic in the music industry. What is it and why does it generate almost four times more revenue for songwriters than all digital services combined! Why is nobody talking about it and what is being done to modernize this area of the business? For more information, please check out the SXSW 2017 Panel, “General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?“[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_custom_heading text=”SHARING:
” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%231674d1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1489189071877{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]We encourage you to share this infographic image or download a printable PDF (with links), along with the hashtag #MusicTransparency on Facebook, Twitter and beyond. We kindly ask that you use it in its entirety and do not edit in any way. Thank you for respecting our work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”76001″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][thememove_button open_new_tab=”1″ text=”Download Image” url=”http://44.193.39.137/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Soundstr_Where-Are-My-Royalties_Infographic.png” icon=”vc_icon_element-icon fa fa-file-image-o”][thememove_button open_new_tab=”1″ text=”Download the PDF” url=”http://44.193.39.137/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Soundstr_Where-Are-My-Royalties_Infographic.pdf” icon=”vc_icon_element-icon fa fa-file-pdf-o”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”CREATORS:
” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%231674d1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1489189258538{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Soundstr uses recognition technology to identify real-world music usage and offers new advertising opportunities for businesses and songwriters. This transparency offers businesses a way to negotiate PRO license fees based on actual music usage, and songwriters a way to earn royalties when their music is used in the real world. Soundstr is a venture-backed startup, founded by songwriters and leverages best-in-class recognition technology by Gracenote (Nielsen). Click here to learn more about Soundstr.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”SOURCES” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-link” i_size=”sm” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]

  1. “BMI Annual Review 2016” BMI. Web: https://www.bmi.com/pdfs/publications/2016/BMI_Annual_Review_2016.pdf
  2. “Global Collections Report (2016).” CISAC. N.p., 23 Nov. 2016. Web: http://www.cisac.org/Cisac-University/Library/Royalty-Reports/Global-Collections-Report-2016
  3. “Our ASCAP 2015 Annual Report” ASCAP. Web: https://www.ascap.com/-/media/files/pdf/about/annual-reports/2015-annual-report.pdf?la=en
  4. “BMI Annual Review 2016” BMI. Web: https://www.bmi.com/pdfs/publications/2016/BMI_Annual_Review_2016.pdf
  5. “Nielsen BDS ‐ Stations Monitored” Nielsen. Febuary 2, 2017: https://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/docs/solutions/measurement/radio/BDS_StationsMonitored.pdf
  6. Waits, Jennifer. “Number of Radio Stations in the U.S. Grows this Quarter According to FCC.” Radio Survivor. N.p., 14 Oct. 2015. Web: http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2015/10/14/number-of-radio-stations-in-the-u-s-grows-this-quarter-according-to-fcc/
  7. Penick, Brian. “General Licensing Infographic.” Soundstr. N.p., 31 Aug. 2016: https://44.193.39.137/general-licensing-infographic/
  8. “ASCAP OnStage, ASCAP Plus Awards, Performance Notification and our Top 300 Tours Survey.” ASCAP. N.p., n.d. Web: https://www.ascap.com/help/royalties-and-payment/payment/monetaryawards
  9. “Live Concert Royalties” BMI. Web: https://www.bmi.com/creators/royalty/live_concert_royalties
  10. “2016 Year End Top 200 North American Tours” Pollstar. Web: http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/Charts2016/2016YearEndTop200NorthAmericanTours.pdf
  11. “BMI Annual Review 2016” BMI. Web: https://www.bmi.com/pdfs/publications/2016/BMI_Annual_Review_2016.pdf
  12. “BMI Annual Review 2016” BMI. Web: https://www.bmi.com/pdfs/publications/2016/BMI_Annual_Review_2016.pdf
  13. “General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?” SXSW 2017 Schedule. N.p., 16 Mar. 2017. Web:
    http://schedule.sxsw.com/2017/events/PP63027

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Credits:

• Artwork: Corey Donovan

• Copy: Brian Penick (@BrianPenick) & Eron Bucciarelli-Tieger (@EronBucciarelli)

Check out our SXSW 2017 Panel, General Licensing : Where Are My Royalties? (CLICK IMAGE)

General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?

General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

15 Nov 2016
5 Things to Know Before Renewing Your Music Licenses
Businesses/Venues, Performing Rights, Songwriters Brian Penick 0 comment

5 Things to Know Before Renewing Your Music Licenses

With the New Year just around the corner, it’s likely time to renew your music licensing agreements. But this industry is under some major changes that could impact all businesses.

In June of 2016, the Department of Justice proposed changes to the Consent Decrees. These agreements govern how ASCAP and BMI, the two biggest US rights organizations, operate. (SESAC and GMR are not bound by these agreements. All four companies are known as Performing Rights Organizations, or “PROs”.) These changes would be the biggest update to the music licensing industry in 75 years. (Note: these changes and this post only relate to US-based PROs.)

Music licensing is a dense topic. Some businesses attempt to avoid paying license fees. But the threat of expensive fines is all too real. New technology is helping businesses negotiate fairer fees and more songwriters get paid. It’s time to take a second look at this industry.

 

1. Current Fee Structures (Bad for Businesses)

Before we jump into proposed changes, it’s important to know what you are already paying for. PROs collect money from music users so they can broadcast music and host performers. Real-world businesses, from concert venues to retail shops, are a part of the “general licensing” category. General licenses are “blanket licenses” which allow real-world music users to play any music within a PRO’s catalog (20 million+ songs). These licenses are determined based on capacity and how the music is being consumed (background music, interactive – band/DJ). Each PRO licenses different songs (although there is some overlap). Each PRO also has a different size catalog. The one thing license fees do not take into account is how much music your business plays from each catalog. It doesn’t make much sense to pay the same amount of money for each license when your business may not use as much music from one or more PRO.  

With music tracking technology, a real-world business can now obtain transparency on their music use and negotiate fees based on actual music usage in their business. This is similar to how many households are cutting the cord with cable companies and only paying for the services and movies they want to watch. These blanket licenses are outdated and inefficient.

 

2. Current Royalty Structures (Bad for Songwriters)

What’s even worse about blanket licenses is who collects royalties from your fees. In the absence of data from real-world music use, the PROs use radio as the main proxy to distribute royalties. This means that if a songwriter performs or is broadcast in your business and is not on the radio, they likely do not earn money. Even worse, your fees are likely going to the big names on commercial radio. We at Soundstr did a case study to challenge this proxy. We sampled 3,000 songs in 12 businesses over 2 weeks. The result was that only 19% of songs played in businesses were also on commercial radio. That means roughly 81% of songwriters would not receive royalties from the use of their music. This is not fair.

 

3. Major Changes (More Mouths to Feed)

So now that you have some back story, let’s move onto changes. The biggest proposed change (actually interpretation of the Consent Decree) is the topic of “No Partial Withdraw.” Currently, music publishers use the PROs to issue public performance rights on behalf of their songwriters to all licensing categories (Radio, TV, Digital & General Licensing). Late last year, all three major publishers (Universal Music Group, Sony/ATV and Warner/Chappell), as well as some independent publishers, signed direct public performance licensing deals with Spotify, Pandora and other digital services. By cutting out the middlemen (PROs), these publishers make more money for their songwriters off direct deals. But, the Department of Justice is pushing to prevent cherry picking these direct deals. “No Partial Withdraw” means that the publishers either have to use the PROs for all four categories or none at all. If the publishers decide to go the “All-in” route, you will still only pay the four PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR). If they choose the “All-out” option, your music licensing fees will change drastically. If one of the major publishers withdraw from the PROs, you will have another music license to obtain (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR + Sony, for example). If the tens of thousands of publishers withdraw, you will have many new licenses to pay (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR + Sony, Universal, Warner Chappell, Downtown, Kobalt, & thousands more). The new system could be complex and transparency around music usage would be essential.

 

4. Technology = Fairer Business Fees & More Songwriter Royalties

Licensing accounts for a large percentage of the entire annual music industry revenue. In fact, in 2014 the performing rights sector was ~31.5% of the size of the entire recorded music industry. (Note: performing rights are not calculated as a part of the recorded music industry.) Technology is looking to disrupt this sector, offering solutions for both businesses and songwriters. We at Soundstr also have some unique solutions rolling out this year. Using our services, businesses can now identify both recorded and live music usage. Having this data would allow a business to negotiate fairer license fees based on pro-rated music usage within their establishment. Either would eliminate overpaying for music or paying for music that was not used. Our mission at Soundstr is to help songwriters earn royalties they deserve for commercial use of their music. By identifying the music used in a business, the PROs can ditch the radio proxy altogether. The 81% of songwriters who were not played on commercial radio would receive compensation for their work. Fairer fees and more royalties sounds like a win-win!

5. The Future of Music Licensing (Better for Everyone!)

The basis of the performing rights industry is simple: when you do a job, you should receive compensation. This is the reason the performing rights industry exists in the first place. In 1847, French composer Ernest Bourget heard one of his works performed in a Parisian cafe, but was not compensated for his work. The lawsuit that followed led to the formation of SACEM, the world’s first PRO. The current system, unfortunately, is not that simple. But the future offers a bright outlook. With transparency around music usage data, new industry standards can be set. Any songwriter can receive compensation for commercial use of their music. Businesses will pay transparent fees based on their actual music use. Currently unlicensed businesses will now be able to afford licenses, pumping more money into the system. The current PRO model will need to be flexible, but the outcome will be a much more sustainable industry.

 

There are a lot of things business owners need to know when it comes to music licensing. This industry is in the midst of some big changes. Staying informed and knowing your options can make a big difference in your fee structure. Why pay for music you aren’t using? And don’t you want to know that your fees are making their way back to the correct songwriters? It’s easy to see the value that music provides to your business. But what about the value that business owners like you provide to the music industry? Technology may finally level the playing field.

 

Click below to learn more about how your business can use Soundstr to identify music usage and negotiate a fairer license. #MusicTransparency

https://44.193.39.137/renewing-music-licenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by: Brian Penick

Copyediting: Eron Bucciarelli-Tieger, Claire Muenchen

Artwork: Lauren Osinksi

Image: Paul Green Photography

 

31 Aug 2016
Soundstr General Licensing Infographic
Brands, Businesses/Venues, Industry Professionals, Performing Rights, Songwriters Brian Penick 0 comment

GENERAL LICENSING INFOGRAPHIC

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Editor’s Note: This infographic is intended to visualize the world of General Licensing and how proposed changes could affect songwriters and music licensees. For more information, please check out the proposed SXSW 2017 Panel, “General Licensing: Where Are My Royalties?”  (Votes are also encouraged; voting ends 9/2/16.)[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_custom_heading text=”SHARING:
” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%231674d1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1473699143412{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]We encourage you to share this infographic image or download a printable PDF (with links), along with the hashtag #MusicTransparency on Facebook, Twitter and beyond. We kindly ask that you use it in its entirety and do not edit in any way. Thank you for respecting our work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”75918″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][thememove_button open_new_tab=”1″ text=”Download Image” url=”http://44.193.39.137/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Soundstr-General-Licensing-Infographic.png” icon=”vc_icon_element-icon fa fa-file-image-o”][thememove_button open_new_tab=”1″ text=”Download the PDF” url=”http://44.193.39.137/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Soundstr-General-Licensing-Infographic.pdf” icon=”vc_icon_element-icon fa fa-file-pdf-o”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”CREATORS:
” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%231674d1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1469753639445{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Soundstr uses recognition technology to identify real world music usage and offers new advertising opportunities for businesses and songwriters. This transparency offers businesses a way to negotiate PRO license fees based on actual music usage, and songwriters a way to earn royalties when their music is used in the real world. Soundstr is a venture-backed startup, founded by songwriters and leverages best-in-class recognition technology by Gracenote (Tribune). Click here to learn more about Soundstr.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”SOURCES” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-link” i_size=”sm” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]

  • #9: Some of these songwriters had songs on the radio during this time period and within the market. Those songs were not ones identified in the study’s test sites and therefore these songwriters would not receive compensation for the use of those specific songs.

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Credits:

• Artwork: Corey Donovan & Joey Brennan

• Copy: Eron Bucciarelli-Tieger (@EronBucciarelli)  & Brian Penick (@BrianPenick)

Vote for the SXSW 2017 General Licensing Panel (CLICK IMAGE)

Soundstr General Licensing Infographic

Consent Decree Impact Infographic[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

02 Aug 2016
Consent Decree Impact Infographic
Brands, Businesses/Venues, Industry Professionals, Performing Rights, Songwriters Brian Penick 3 Comments

CONSENT DECREE IMPACT INFOGRAPHIC

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Editor’s Note: This infographic is intended to visualize the recent decisions made by the Department of Justice for the Consent Decrees. For more information on these decisions and how they could impact songwriters, please check out our post, “5 Things Songwriters Need to Know About the Consent Decree.” This post originally appears on the Soundstr Blog. 

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_custom_heading text=”SHARING:
” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%231674d1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1470153276596{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]We encourage you to share this infographic image or download a printable PDF (with links), along with the hashtag #MusicTransparency on Facebook, Twitter and beyond. We kindly ask that you use it in its entirety and do not edit in any way. Thank you for respecting our work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”75905″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][thememove_button open_new_tab=”1″ text=”Download Image” url=”http://44.193.39.137/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Soundstr_Consent_Decree_Infographic.png” icon=”vc_icon_element-icon fa fa-file-image-o”][thememove_button open_new_tab=”1″ text=”Download the PDF” url=”http://44.193.39.137/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Soundstr_Consent_Decree_Infographic.pdf” icon=”vc_icon_element-icon fa fa-file-pdf-o”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”CREATORS:
” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%231674d1″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1469753639445{padding-top: 10px !important;}”]Soundstr uses recognition technology to identify real world music usage and offers new advertising opportunities for businesses and songwriters. This transparency offers businesses a way to negotiate PRO license fees based on actual music usage, and songwriters a way to earn royalties when their music is used in the real world. Soundstr is a venture-backed startup, founded by songwriters and leverages best-in-class recognition technology by Gracenote (Tribune). Click here to learn more about Soundstr.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”SOURCES” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-link” i_size=”sm” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”RELATED POST” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-file-text-o” i_size=”sm” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]

 

Credits:

• Artwork: Corey Donovan

• Copy: Eron Bucciarelli-Tieger (@EronBucciarelli)  & Brian Penick (@BrianPenick)

• Layout Assistant: Claire Muenchen

Consent Decree Impact Infographic[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

20 Jun 2016
5 THINGS TO KNOW: MY BUSINESS GOT A LETTER FROM ASCAP/BMI/SESAC
Businesses/Venues, Performing Rights Brian Penick 0 comment

5 THINGS TO KNOW: MY BUSINESS GOT A LETTER FROM ASCAP/BMI/SESAC

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The last thing any business owner wants is another bill.

It seems like the cost of operating a brick and mortar business gets more expensive by the day. But what if you receive an invoice in the mail for something you have been using (without payment) for years? That’s exactly what can happen if you see a letter from a performing rights organization.

Performing rights organizations (“PROs”) collect for the commercial use of music in businesses. A letter from these organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and Global Music Rights in the USA) might take you by surprise. But there are a few things that you need to know to make sure your business is using music in a legal way that avoids expensive fines. (And by expensive, we mean upwards of $150,000.)

Here are 5 things you need to know about the Performing Rights Industry and its affiliated organizations:

 

1. What PROs charge for is completely legal.

Based on US Law, any time a song (“work”) is performed (broadcast or performed live) in a business, you (“music user”) must pay the creator (“songwriter”) for that right. There are some exemptions, which should be understood. PROs collect fees from businesses and distribute them to the songwriters they represent. This is a complicated process, but we’re here to help simplify and explain.

 

2. This is an old, outdated industry.

The first US PRO (ASCAP) launched in 1914, with competitors SESAC in 1930 and BMI in 1939. (Global Music Rights is the new kid on the block, who launched in 2015). ASCAP and BMI have entered into Consent Decrees with the US Department of Justice. These documents govern and set the standard for collection of performing rights fees by these two groups. These documents are updated every 10 or so years, the last of which came in 2001. (Note: major changes have been proposed on June 30th, 2016 – click HERE to learn more.) All PROs are bound by the last major overhaul to US Copyright Law: the Revised Copyright Act of 1976. These updates help the industry adapt to new standards and technology. But at the end of the day, these changes do not happen often enough, and many businesses are pushing for serious changes and updates.

 

3. PROs are litigious.

Although the PROs are quiet when it comes to their rate structure, they are vocal when venues do not pay their fees. In April 2016, ASCAP sued 10 bars that did not comply. These infractions might not seem like much, but consider each case. ASCAP fined a Cincinnati-bar $90,000 for not paying an annual $5,000 fee. This demand was only made by a single PRO – there are now four in the US. Lawyers are expensive. Fines are more expensive. Paying for a product you use is the right thing to do.

 

4. Balancing the system.

There are movements and efforts to make this a fairer and more transparent industry. Most business owners agree that music is a valued asset to their business. People don’t spend much time in silent bars, coffee shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Music helps drive business. Songwriters should receive compensation for commercial use of their music. Paying PRO fees is the right and legal thing to do. But there needs to be a balanced approach. These fees need to reflect actual music use. Business owners need to know that the money they pay is making its way back to the correct songwriters. A fairer system means more businesses could license music, avoiding fines or lawsuits. More money would flow into the system for songwriters. Transparency surrounding fees is a win-win.

 

5. Technology might be the answer.

As of today, PROs charge businesses and venues a general blanket license fee for music performances. This fee offers the ability to play all music from a PRO’s catalog. This is different from other mediums (radio, television, Internet), which pay only for the music they use. This fee structure, known as a Per Segment License, requires tracking of music use. Until recently, technology could not identify live music performances. With the ability to track music use, businesses can gather the necessary data to potentially negotiate lower fees. On a larger scale, this could lead to Per Segment licenses for all businesses. This could help lower rates for businesses and help songwriters get paid when their works are used.

 

Receiving a warning letter from one of these businesses can be intimidating, and a quick Google search can only add to your fears. But it is important to know what you are paying for. Music helps business, from building customer loyalty to helping sales. While the current system does work in theory, a health balance is necessary. Businesses should only pay for the music they use. Songwriters should receive compensation for the commercial use of their music. More transparency would solve many problems, and technology is here to offer a solution.

Click below for a FREE webinar that discusses how you can start identifying music in your business and potentially lower your performing rights fees. 

5 THINGS TO KNOW: MY BUSINESS GOT A LETTER FROM ASCAP/BMI/SESAC[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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