Signing Releases
September 25, 2008 8:33 AM
Questions about signing releases
I wrote and recorded some theme songs and instrumental beds for a web series being funded by a national broadcaster. The release is being sent over this week. The series producer is an old friend so I don't think I'm going to be screwed but is there anything I should watch out for?
posted by minifigs (5 comments total)
I wrote and recorded some theme songs and instrumental beds for a web series being funded by a national broadcaster. The release is being sent over this week. The series producer is an old friend so I don't think I'm going to be screwed but is there anything I should watch out for?
It was only two hundred euro so a lawyer might be overkill. Is there anything I could/should insist on myself, for instance, a renewal payment if the series is picked up for a second series, a clause stating that the release is for this series only, and any other programmes it's used for require further payment? The music was deliberately lo-fi to match the vlog style of the show so I don't imagine it'll be soundtracking sports highlights but I just want to cover myself.
posted by minifigs at 3:59 AM on September 26, 2008
posted by minifigs at 3:59 AM on September 26, 2008
This is not my gig by a long shot, but the fundamental thing I'd be clear on is that, yes, it's a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the work only for the specific run of whatever they're asking for.
At the end of the day, if it's a relatively silly small-scale thing, not work that your heart is chained to, the contract doesn't mention anything about your first-born, and you're willing to trust your friend, it may be more of a shrug-and-sign situation. If something stupid or frustrating happens: learning experience!
posted by cortex at 8:20 AM on September 26, 2008
At the end of the day, if it's a relatively silly small-scale thing, not work that your heart is chained to, the contract doesn't mention anything about your first-born, and you're willing to trust your friend, it may be more of a shrug-and-sign situation. If something stupid or frustrating happens: learning experience!
posted by cortex at 8:20 AM on September 26, 2008
My recommendation is just to make sure that it's non-transferable and also has a sunset horizon -- 10 years or something, long enough that they aren't likely to feel like you're setting up some sort of annual license, but short enough so if they want to use it in perpetuity they should pay you a bit more than 200 euros.
posted by chimaera at 10:16 AM on September 26, 2008
posted by chimaera at 10:16 AM on September 26, 2008
1. I'd just look out for the term - I don't sign anything 'in perpetuity'. A reasonable timeframe is fair.
2. For that amount of money I'd hope that it was a non-exclusive right to use it.
3. If its nothing special to you, "just something you knocked together as a favour" then I wouldn't cause too much fuss and take the money and run.
posted by mary8nne at 8:44 AM on October 1, 2008
2. For that amount of money I'd hope that it was a non-exclusive right to use it.
3. If its nothing special to you, "just something you knocked together as a favour" then I wouldn't cause too much fuss and take the money and run.
posted by mary8nne at 8:44 AM on October 1, 2008
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Seriously, if it wouldn't outweight the pay itself.. get a lawyer to look that shit over..
posted by mediocre at 2:42 AM on September 26, 2008