Highlights from The California Copyright Conference's October 2014 Music Royalties Dinner

Last week, the California Copyright Conference presented a panel discussion entitled, "Are You Getting Paid? Best Practices for Unmatched Royalties"

October 2014 California Copyright Conference: L-R: Scott Berenson – Director, Claims Department at SoundExchange; Jake Wisely - President The Bicycle Music Company; Diane Snyder Ramirez – Vice President Royalty Accounting & Administration, Royalty Review Council; Chris Castle – Founder, Christian L. Castle, Attorneys, Austin; Anne Cecere – BMI, California Copyright Conference President; Not Pictured: Eric Palmquist - Vice President, Audit & Income Tracking, BMG Chrysalis

I tweeted a few insights from the panelists, such as:

One highlight was when panelist Chris Castle called on Henry Gradstein to speak on state copyright protection of pre-1972 sound recordings:

Henry Gradstein at the California Copyright Conference: Section 980 in California was amended to allow for common law (c) protection

But, a few tweets can't impart all of the valuable information that the panelists shared. To view the complete discussion, click here to join the California Copyright Conference.

#IRespectMusic

Eventually materials from the program will be uploaded here for anyone to access free-of-charge.

Why You Need a Better YouTube Strategy

I was recently honored to speak with an elite group of L.A.'s best business managers about how YouTube drives a recording artist's recoupment of video accounts and earnings.

According to a recent Viacom study, 91% of 13-40 year olds "listen to the song/watch the video on YouTube prior to purchasing."

Yet, YouTube cannibalizes record sales and it and Vevo - through which UMG and SONY take an extra cut - pay controversially low royalty rates.

Thus, whether independent or major, your clients are best served by a very thoughtful YouTube business strategy.

Here are four points I consider when helping business managers develop a YouTube financial plan for music clients:

• Cost - Fund production costs with brand integration, engage in budgeting, document approvals, make sure clients aren't subsidizing production
• Collections - Consider re-records.  Also, metadata tells licensees who to pay, so you want to get it right (see this Metadata style guide for tips).
• Control - Don't let Vevo ads erode brand equity.
  
• Compliance - For crowdfunded videos, we provide tax planning and verification of accredited investors for a 506 offering.
• Claims - Potential audit findings include incorrect recoupment and/or cross-collateralization, incorrect costs, so-called "digital breakage," Vevo fees, publishing synch fees

Are you a business manager, attorney, personal manager or advisor?

Call me today at 424.248.8866 to influence these and other key factors of your clients' financial success.