General Music Chat

Tonight I had TDay dinner at my girlfriend's house with some of her family. Amongst the dinner guests, was her son and his fiance, Brenda Lau. Brenda is a popular vocalist in Panama. She and her family are from Zhongshan , China). There is a documentary about the Zhongshanese community overseas (including Panama). ( She and her parents are featured in that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-08h_nJ ... ure=relmfu)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brenda-L ... 3992618340

We had a nice chat and talked about music. Anyway, she had heard one of my songs (Mariposa) and has expressed an interest to cover it, using it for her next release. Her intention is to translate it to Spanish, adjust phrasing and adapt to the Latin syntax. But, she has agreed to keep the composition intact.

Now here is where it gets tricky.

I am releasing this song on my CD (technically SPeaking) in a few weeks. This means its already published (eminent) .

My questions:
1) Does that present a legal conflict if she uses her version of it around the same time?
2) How does one get paid and distribute the proceeds for the collaboration...(What percents , etc)?

I am releasing this song on my CD (technically SPeaking) in a few weeks. This means its already published (eminent) .

My questions:
1) Does that present a legal conflict if she uses her version of it around the same time?
2) How does one get paid and distribute the proceeds for the collaboration...(What percents , etc)?

1.) I don't see any LEGAL conflicts with that. Although, it may be bad marketing strategy to release both at the same time.
2.) I do not believe that there is a solid rule to that, percentages. It depends on what you negotiate together. I'm pretty sure of that. But, I think 50/50 is the most common split between two artists.

But, if you think it's worth the money, you probably should get the advice of an entertainment attorney and confirm it.

Maybe you could register both versions with your PRO (ASCAP, BMI. etc.), one version would list her as the performer. The PRO pays you then you would pay her what ever you workout as being her share? You are the publisher?

I am releasing this song on my CD (technically SPeaking) in a few weeks. This means its already published (eminent) .

My questions:
1) Does that present a legal conflict if she uses her version of it around the same time?
2) How does one get paid and distribute the proceeds for the collaboration...(What percents , etc)?

1.) I don't see any LEGAL conflicts with that. Although, it may be bad marketing strategy to release both at the same time.
2.) I do not believe that there is a solid rule to that, percentages. It depends on what you negotiate together. I'm pretty sure of that. But, I think 50/50 is the most common split between two artists.

But, if you think it's worth the money, you probably should get the advice of an entertainment attorney and confirm it.

50/50 makes sense...

Maybe you could register both versions with your PRO (ASCAP, BMI. etc.), one version would list her as the performer. The PRO pays you then you would pay her what ever you workout as being her share? You are the publisher?

Good Point... I think tho that I would have no publishing rights over her version. I could file mine, But the 50/50 agreement on that song ... would prolly just take care of it. The good news is that she is very above board and her reputation reflects that. She is independent at the moment and is not bound to a manager or a promoter. (She fired the last one , who it turns out was very greedy)

If you have it registered with BMI or ASCAP, then you get royalties from her sales/commercial plays. That's it. Anyone can cover one of your songs without permission or payment.