Royalties for gold album/number 1 from 15 years ago

MoonFlower · 01-13-2019, 08:25 PM

Hi,

I am writing on behalf of a semi well-known Canadian musician. A brilliant artist but no business savvy and he's completely broke despite a very impressive music catalog.

In 2003 (yes, a long time ago...) he wrote and sang on a track with a very well-known band in Brazil. His singing and songwriting part is one third of the track time.

The track was released on an album and also as a single. The album went gold. The single reached number 1 in the billboard charts in Brazil.

At the time he got an advance (about $200 Canadian dollars). He did not sign a contract. The band has never been in contact with him again.

He has never received any royalties. Yes, a lawyer... I written to some asking if they would take up this case for a contingency fee but no responses yet. So I wanted to ask for general advice here - is it reasonable that he would seek royalties so late? Would they be back dated? Any other opinions/information?

I'm not a music professional, so please cut me a break if these are naive questions

Thank you

~~[MERIT]~~ · 01-13-2019, 08:48 PM

You can ASK for whatever you want. I think it's more than reasonable to ask for royalties, but since he wasn't under contract, it will probably be an uphill battle involving lengthy litigation, which will probably result in a lump sum verdict in his favor, but much smaller than what he originally requested.

MoonFlower · 01-13-2019, 10:20 PM

Thank you for your reply. This situation has happened to him multiple times. People assume he's a multi-millionaire when he's broke. It's shameful.

Can he register with ASCAP, SoundExchange, etc. for these songs when there's no agreed upon splits? In ASCAP, for example, you have to enter all artists regardless of contracts, etc. What percentage split do you put in though if none contractually agreed on?

Thanks again readers

~~[MERIT]~~ · 01-13-2019, 11:13 PM

It wouldn't hurt to try. If he's got a lawyer and plans on taking it to court, then it would behoove him to show that he is serious. If no split was agreed upon, I would assume [1 / total # of band members].

The Batlord · 01-14-2019, 04:12 AM

Sounds like he's ****ed.

Psy-Fi · 01-14-2019, 06:35 AM

If he only sang and/or played on the recording, he might only be entitled to whatever the agreed upon fee was for his performance. If there's no contract, then it comes down to his word versus the word of the other band members as far as what the fee was.

If he was also involved in writing the song (lyrics and/or music) then he would be entitled to royalties from the song.

https://aristake.com/post/songwriter-royalties

Quote:

But above all, most importantly, YOU have to figure out how to collect the songwriter royalties for the songs you write (and co-write). It is not the artist's responsibility. Not the label's responsibility. Not the other artist's manager. YOUR responsibility.

MoonFlower · 02-04-2019, 12:31 PM

Thank you. Yes, he was the songwriter on these songs as well.

ttlumley · 02-09-2019, 04:37 AM

Surely there must be a copyright issue here? if you create something and can prove it you have the copyright

01-13-2019, 08:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
MoonFlower Groupie Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4	Royalties for gold album/number 1 from 15 years ago Hi, I am writing on behalf of a semi well-known Canadian musician. A brilliant artist but no business savvy and he's completely broke despite a very impressive music catalog. In 2003 (yes, a long time ago...) he wrote and sang on a track with a very well-known band in Brazil. His singing and songwriting part is one third of the track time. The track was released on an album and also as a single. The album went gold. The single reached number 1 in the billboard charts in Brazil. At the time he got an advance (about $200 Canadian dollars). He did not sign a contract. The band has never been in contact with him again. He has never received any royalties. Yes, a lawyer... I written to some asking if they would take up this case for a contingency fee but no responses yet. So I wanted to ask for general advice here - is it reasonable that he would seek royalties so late? Would they be back dated? Any other opinions/information? I'm not a music professional, so please cut me a break if these are naive questions Thank you

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01-13-2019, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,814	You can ASK for whatever you want. I think it's more than reasonable to ask for royalties, but since he wasn't under contract, it will probably be an uphill battle involving lengthy litigation, which will probably result in a lump sum verdict in his favor, but much smaller than what he originally requested.

01-13-2019, 10:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
MoonFlower Groupie Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4	Thank you for your reply. This situation has happened to him multiple times. People assume he's a multi-millionaire when he's broke. It's shameful. Can he register with ASCAP, SoundExchange, etc. for these songs when there's no agreed upon splits? In ASCAP, for example, you have to enter all artists regardless of contracts, etc. What percentage split do you put in though if none contractually agreed on? Thanks again readers

01-13-2019, 11:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,814	It wouldn't hurt to try. If he's got a lawyer and plans on taking it to court, then it would behoove him to show that he is serious. If no split was agreed upon, I would assume [1 / total # of band members].

02-04-2019, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
MoonFlower Groupie Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4	Thank you. Yes, he was the songwriter on these songs as well.

02-09-2019, 04:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
ttlumley Groupie Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Alfreton Posts: 1	Surely there must be a copyright issue here? if you create something and can prove it you have the copyright