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MySpace Music Store: Are Your
Copyrights Getting "Stolen" Again? |
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 You might have heard about the controversy over whether or not musicians have unwittingly given up their copyrights when they signed up for a MySpace account. Few people actually print the on-line user agreement and spend the time to read and understand it. They click away to quickly register and devote the time instead to uploading music, photos, logos, etc. And even if one took the time to study the contract, it's unlikely that the copyright issue would have been understood without the advice of an experienced entertainment attorney. |
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| The controversy was resolved when MySpace eventually clarified their contractual language. But what about the new MySpace Music Store? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| If you're not already familiar with it, this new feature enables you to sell your music right off of your MySpace page or anywhere else for that matter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 MySpace
is offering this service in partnership with SNOCAP, a San Francisco
company formed in 2002. So if you sign up, you will be taken to SNOCAP's website and the contract will be with them, not with MySpace. |
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| So, does the legalese in SNOCAP's contract put your copyright ownership into question? Thankfully, the answer is "no." Here's why. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SNOCAP's founder, Shawn Fanning, is no stranger to how the question of copyright ownership can easily become an explosive issue. He was entangled in lawsuits for years with his prior company -- Napster! That experience, coupled with MySpace's own controversy, had to have been a driving force behind the lengths SNOCAP went to make sure their contract is as clear as can be. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Here's what the actual contract says: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"1. AUTHORIZATION: YOU ARE NOT TRANSFERRING ANY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF ANY KIND TO ANY OF YOUR COPYRIGHTS (SONG OR SOUND RECORDING) BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT. NO PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AMBIGUITY IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED BY ANYONE TO TRANSFER ANY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN YOUR COPYRIGHTS TO US." |
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| Note how SNOCAP used language that is a lot more straightforward than the typical legalese one would ordinarily find. Note also their use of capital letters and boldface to make sure you see the clause. And in case you missed it, they repeat the language in paragraph 3: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"3. OWNERSHIP: YOU ARE NOT TRANSFERRING ANY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF ANY KIND TO ANY OF YOUR COPYRIGHTS (SONG OR SOUND RECORDING) BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT. NO PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AMBIGUITY IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED BY ANYONE TO TRANSFER ANY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN YOUR COPYRIGHTS TO US." |
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| So does that mean that you have nothing to worry about and can click SNOCAP's "I Accept" button? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Absolutely not. There's a lot more to this than whether or not you get to keep your copyrights. The on-line agreement is about 11 pages long, so there are many other terms that you have to consider (such as the five paragraphs in the "Proceeds and Fees" section). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| And there are many other things you may have to do before you can get mouse-happy and start creating your on-line store. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Did you... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| > register copyrights for your songs, recordings and artwork? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| > get mechanical licenses for any songs you are covering? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| > get written clearances for the use of any samples? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| > get written clearances for the use of any photos, artwork, logos, etc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| > get written agreements, receipts, and other documentation regarding other parties who worked on your music, e.g., producers, engineers, studios, session players, songwriters, arrangers, graphic artists, etc. -- and have they been paid? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This list applies whether you use SNOCAP, CD Baby or any other method for selling your music. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The thing to remember is that contracts are to be taken seriously. The "friendliness" of the website can lull the inexperienced into letting their guard down (click here to read about other seemingly "friendly" agreements). Clicking the "I Accept" button is just as binding as signing with a pen. And if you scroll down or print out the agreement, you will see that it can be as lengthy and as complex as any other entertainment industry agreement. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Even if the agreement is for a free service, it pays to consult with an experienced entertainment attorney if you are in doubt about anything you read. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Have questions about this topic? Need help with contracts, clearances or licensing? Want to brainstorm on other ways to sell your music and to boost sales? E-mail me about setting up a consultation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Not sure yet? Have
questions about the fee or services? E-mail me to arrange for a free confidential telephone appointment to get more information. |
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