Collecting royalties is a simple deal, unlike deals that are made around releasing and promoting records: u collect money from record sales, radio and TV airplays, etc., and u get a fee that's been negociated in advance once and for all. There ain't nothing else to do after that, nor are there too many ways the artist can piss u off or complain about the job u're doing if u do it properly (which all major publishing companies do). The only possible litigious point would be the fact that the publishing company doesn't prevent stuff being used on sites such as Youtube but that's a new aspect of their job and I guess it's still a grey area, contractually speaking.

Anyway, with the WB catalogues and several old hits getting intensive radio/TV airplay worldwide (the WB hits but also some famous songs given to others, or covered by others), any publishing company would obviously agree to enter negociations with Prince about his next contract. There's no need for smart alecs here to claim that Prince got "fired" by Universal: no artist has ever been thanked by a publishing company, the mere idea of such a thing is a nonsense in itself.

He can always negociate with "NPG Publishing": http://www.nature.com/npg...index.html

KeithyT said:

Genesia said:

Has anyone else noticed how it's always someone else who keeps Prince from doing what he wants to do? He's never in the wrong - or to blame for anything.

Surely, he entered this arrangement willingly ...Yet, when things go sour, it's because the other party is "holding him back."

Prince, ever the victim.

Rebecca where are you getting this? The announcement from his manager makes no mention of things turning sour or UMPG keeping him from what he wants to do, or holding him back.

As Gav has reported it's just a simple 2 liner.

To all the other's fretting about the free agent stuff that is jseven's interspersed wording (and no disrespect to him, he was privileged enough to be able to ask Prince direct.), relating to Prince's record deal status.

It could be nothing. But when I read, "It is an exciting opportunity for Prince to consider fresh and new ideas for all his music," it seems Prince is suggesting that UPMG was, in some way, keeping him from considering fresh and new ideas for all his music.

Surely, if all they were doing was collecting royalties, that wouldn't have stopped him from doing exactly what he wanted under the terms of the deal - fresh or otherwise.

Or maybe it's a generic statement that is worded in such a way as to make it seem a bigger deal than it is. That wouldn't be out of character for the man, either.

[Edited 7/9/12 8:37am]

I just want to know if Kiran Sharma is a free agent. Hey Kiran, if you're reading this, you and me baby, we could be a work of art.

Genesia said:

Has anyone else noticed how it's always someone else who keeps Prince from doing what he wants to do? He's never in the wrong - or to blame for anything.

Surely, he entered this arrangement willingly - just as he was a willing participant in his contracts with WB - and his marriages. Yet, when things go sour, it's because the other party is "holding him back."

Prince, ever the victim.

I just want new music.... I dont care if I must download it or get it on a cd. I just want new.... Ive been here a long time. I remember the old days. I will not preorder again but when things are shipping I will buy. NPGMC was fine for MP3s.

databank said:

Collecting royalties is a simple deal, unlike deals that are made around releasing and promoting records: u collect money from record sales, radio and TV airplays, etc., and u get a fee that's been negociated in advance once and for all. There ain't nothing else to do after that, nor are there too many ways the artist can piss u off or complain about the job u're doing if u do it properly (which all major publishing companies do). The only possible litigious point would be the fact that the publishing company doesn't prevent stuff being used on sites such as Youtube but that's a new aspect of their job and I guess it's still a grey area, contractually speaking.

Anyway, with the WB catalogues and several old hits getting intensive radio/TV airplay worldwide (the WB hits but also some famous songs given to others, or covered by others), any publishing company would obviously agree to enter negociations with Prince about his next contract. There's no need for smart alecs here to claim that Prince got "fired" by Universal: no artist has ever been thanked by a publishing company, the mere idea of such a thing is a nonsense in itself.

He can always negociate with "NPG Publishing": http://www.nature.com/npg...index.html

Is it common for big-time artists to have the same company that is releasing their music also handle their publishing? If so, I suppose this could be a negotiating chip if Prince wants to do a new deal with a major label, if indeed that is something he wants to do.

Gav said:

...passing on a message from Prince's manager, Kiran Sharma.

"We are pleased to announce that Prince and Universal have reached a mutual agreement in terminating their long standing publishing deal. It is an exciting opportunity for Prince to consider fresh and new ideas for all his music."

Remember, this is for Prince's PUBLISHING contract, not a record deal.

thanks for keeping us all informed Lord Gav, you're my hero

Universal wasnt responsible for the infamous removal YouTube vids also?

( praying ) this has P put some new music ( out ) before 2012 ends ( if anything ).

Genesia said:

ludwig said:

Let's be honest and acknowledge that no one here knows the insights, if someone did something wrong, etc... It's all speculation.

I think you misunderstood what I was trying to say.

Prince always makes this big deal when his deals end, talking about his wonderful new "freedom," and how it opens all these amazing new horizons for his music. He makes it sound like it's always the other side holding him back.

And yet, nothing ever changes. He operates the way he always has: there are no re-masters and the vault stays closed.

well said Genesia!

love2thenines2003 said:

KeithyT said:

I read this as him and UMPG just ending their deal, and he will now (if he has not already) go and shop around for a new deal with another publishing administering company.

I didnt read it as he, and/or his staff, now administering it all themselves.

...the big trouble 2 come is......Noone now in the Record Industry want to work with Prince, Prince is unmanageable, capricious & obsessed with BIG money for a BIG deal he can make from his legacy!!

Really, how woud you know no one wants to "work with Prince". How would you know that he is unmanageable? Every move he makes seems to suggest that the Industry does want to work with him when he wants to play. It would seem to be an enviable position to be in as an artist.

"It is an exciting opportunity for Prince to consider fresh and new ideas for all his music."

- I didnt understand it too. Prince seemed free to do what he wanted to, lately. Cds with newspapers, Target promotion, etc...

And he is still releasing less amount of music/DVDs than in Warner days...

Genesia said:

Has anyone else noticed how it's always someone else who keeps Prince from doing what he wants to do? He's never in the wrong - or to blame for anything.

Surely, he entered this arrangement willingly - just as he was a willing participant in his contracts with WB - and his marriages. Yet, when things go sour, it's because the other party is "holding him back."

Prince, ever the victim.

Where are you reading "victim".. The contract to adminster ended ansd he choose not to renew. WTF is the issue woth that?

electricberet said:

databank said:

Collecting royalties is a simple deal, unlike deals that are made around releasing and promoting records: u collect money from record sales, radio and TV airplays, etc., and u get a fee that's been negociated in advance once and for all. There ain't nothing else to do after that, nor are there too many ways the artist can piss u off or complain about the job u're doing if u do it properly (which all major publishing companies do). The only possible litigious point would be the fact that the publishing company doesn't prevent stuff being used on sites such as Youtube but that's a new aspect of their job and I guess it's still a grey area, contractually speaking.

Anyway, with the WB catalogues and several old hits getting intensive radio/TV airplay worldwide (the WB hits but also some famous songs given to others, or covered by others), any publishing company would obviously agree to enter negociations with Prince about his next contract. There's no need for smart alecs here to claim that Prince got "fired" by Universal: no artist has ever been thanked by a publishing company, the mere idea of such a thing is a nonsense in itself.

He can always negociate with "NPG Publishing": http://www.nature.com/npg...index.html

Is it common for big-time artists to have the same company that is releasing their music also handle their publishing? If so, I suppose this could be a negotiating chip if Prince wants to do a new deal with a major label, if indeed that is something he wants to do.

I know where record co's will be as downloading becomes more relevant. Just think about the equation..iTunes 30%, record label 35%, artist 35%, if the labels pay the artists.

lwr001 said:

Genesia said:

Has anyone else noticed how it's always someone else who keeps Prince from doing what he wants to do? He's never in the wrong - or to blame for anything.

Surely, he entered this arrangement willingly - just as he was a willing participant in his contracts with WB - and his marriages. Yet, when things go sour, it's because the other party is "holding him back."

Prince, ever the victim.

Where are you reading "victim".. The contract to adminster ended ansd he choose not to renew. WTF is the issue woth that?

Read the whole thread. I explained what I meant.

meanwhile in the real world:

Let's hope this means he will actually be publishing music sometime soon.

IstenSzek said:

meanwhile in the real world:

Doesnt mean anything other than a few xtra $$$s in Prince's wallet as he will get a nice advance with the next publisher.

Genesia said:

lwr001 said:

Where are you reading "victim".. The contract to adminster ended ansd he choose not to renew. WTF is the issue woth that?

Read the whole thread. I explained what I meant.

I did read it and it still makes no sense

love2thenines2003 said:

ludwig said:

Buy a box of Captn Crunch and get the latest prince record for free!

No artist ever did that before, what an exciting and fresh idea!!

I like this idea.

PurpleLove7 said:

( praying ) this has P put some new music ( out ) before 2012 ends ( if anything ).

Me too. It's time.

Surely he'll just sign up for a new publishing deal with whomever gives him the most moolah up front.

NouveauDance said:

Surely he'll just sign up for a new publishing deal with whomever gives him the most moolah up front.

That certainly seems to be his M.O. of late.

Prince, you should hire me. I have great ideas how you should sell your music. First, don't charge huge amounts, do stealth pr, release what we are looking for, play snippits on radio stations, use youtube, etc.

Gav, I've missed you bud. How's about putting all the Uptown issues free online? lol

Does anyone think he will try to go back to WB (for music publishing)?

How many other companies are out there that you know of? I know Sony exists (other than Universal and WB). Are there any more big ones that you guys can think of?

^ worldwide it's only Sony to go for now, unless he is willing to go for it with WB or not work with a major player anymore