Boydie said:

The only way to be sure is to have a WRITTEN agreement (contract) in place detailing exactly who owns what The "copyrightable" bits of music are LYRICS and MELODY - so if you wrote the lyrics then it is likely you own 50% of the writer's credit (although this % can be changed with a written agreement). The lines are becoming a little blurred (excuse the pun) with copyright following the Robin Thicke/Marvin Gaye case You would really need an agreement in each case I would add though... As much as I respect Prince's stand on his masters/contracts etc. Record labels are in a position where they can be ultra selective so as an unknown artist/writer you will be at a huge disadvantage if you try to be overly protective of your music as the label will simply move on to the next budding star A small % of something is better than 100% of nothing so think carefully if you are ever in the fortunate position to get record label interest You will find a lot of info and this type of discussion at this website: www.songwriterforum.co.uk (which for full disclosure I own) Some would say that the "music business" is more about "business" than the music at the moment - but fortunately there are also now many more ways for unknown artists to "get heard" - YouTube, SoundCloud, social media etc. It would have been interesting to see how Prince would have done starting out again in modern times I still think he would have "broken through" but it would have been a very different journey

Prince didn't believe in signing contracts, what was that all about?

When I was heavy into my group's music business, I ALWAYS kept the latest Musician's Business and Legal Guide. It was my musician's 'bible.' Please get this or something just as informative for your career. http://www.barnesandnoble...ckid=3x163

Good luck!!

roxy831 said:

Boydie said:

purpleforeverlove said:

roxy831 said:

When I was heavy into my group's music business, I ALWAYS kept the latest Musician's Business and Legal Guide. It was my musician's 'bible.' Please get this or something just as informative for your career. http://www.barnesandnoble...ckid=3x163

Good luck!!

quote Thank you so much,you've really help.

My pleasure. It was P who pressed in my heart the need to protect your art. I made sure to be proactive, protected, and informed. Take care. Oh, and make sure you join a Songwriters, Performers society (i.e. ASCAP, BMI, SESAC)for royalties. There's also another one specifically for the internet play (CD Baby or Tunecore, I believe). More than happy to share.

Dude, for crying out loud, stop taking advice form amateurs on a forum and go take classes.

BartVanHemelen said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Dude, for crying out loud, stop taking advice form amateurs on a forum and go take classes.

"Dude, for crying out loud" - There are also classes available regarding Social Skills. Just sayin'

roxy831 said:

purplethunder3121 said:

This is also a great way for Prince's legacy to be continued. The very act of being as aware as possible about all the business aspects of this industry is crucial. Prince has to learn in a very difficult way as a lot of what he did was very uncharted territory. I wish you every success and am glad you are thinkin about these considerations now and not much later

jayspud said:

Prince has to learn in a very difficult way as a lot of what he did was very uncharted territory.

.

Again: this is nonsense. Go ask Mick Jagger et al who learned about this in the early 1970s.

BartVanHemelen said:

jayspud said:

Prince has to learn in a very difficult way as a lot of what he did was very uncharted territory.

.

Again: this is nonsense. Go ask Mick Jagger et al who learned about this in the early 1970s.

First of all a lot of what prince went through was simply unprecendented. The Rolling Stones had legal issues regarding the payments from their music, yes, but they are not directly comparable to Prince's issues. The fact that the Rolling Stones received an unequitable deal does not in any way mean that Prince didn't have his own struggle to pursue. Prince may simply have done nothing and kept quiet but he actually chose to make a stand to make public the issues regarding the music business. Obviously being a different generation to the Stones this reached a whole new group of people.

Prince had a very different relationship with the music business than the Stones. This doesn't mean he didn't suffer some of the same explotation. Obviously Prince had form of relationbship with the Stones in the eraly eighties and may have some knowledge of their issues.

Prince was innovative in the music business. He..Just...Was.

BartVanHemelen said:

Dude, for crying out loud, stop taking advice form amateurs on a forum and go take classes.

Isn't what you just said advice too?

If u paid for the beats then u own them. That's my opinion. I am not a lawyer. But I have worked in music for 40 years. A good entertainment attorney could be a great investment IF your music makes a bunch of money, AND IF u have the cash to invest in such luxuries. Many of us don't.

RodeoSchro said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Dude, for crying out loud, stop taking advice form amateurs on a forum and go take classes.

Isn't what you just said advice too?

RodeoSchro said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Dude, for crying out loud, stop taking advice form amateurs on a forum and go take classes.

Isn't what you just said advice too?

Form? Mr Spelling Police Your mean from.

Guitarhero said:

RodeoSchro said:

Isn't what you just said advice too?

Form? Mr Spelling Police Your mean from.

Don't you mean 'You'.

Mind you, the way I mash the keyboard, it's amazing anything makes sense

[Edited 8/5/16 15:07pm]

jayspud said:

Guitarhero said:

Form? Mr Spelling Police Your mean from.

Don't you mean 'You'.

Mind you, the way I mash the keyboard, it's amazing anything makes sense

[Edited 8/5/16 15:07pm]

Oh no, don't drink and write is my advice I fell in the spelling trap I can take it when i make a spelling mistake

[Edited 8/5/16 15:10pm]

nursev said:

Can i share your popcorn

Guitarhero said:

jayspud said:

nursev said:

Guitarhero said:

nursev said:

Guitarhero said:

Can i share your popcorn

U know it...making room for ya

Make room for me, i love popcorn.

Make room for yourself because popcorn gives me gas, lol.