My Reply: 

Our rules are "one short reply to ONE question FOR NON-MEMBERS, Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' have unlimited personal access to Dec by direct telephone, Fax and Email , apply at https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm ".   

T **

<<<<<<<<<they want me to go into the studio and produce this song.>>>>>>>>

They are mad!  It is important to realise this fact: "Never go near a studio without the hottest Hit producer you can afford"

It is impossible to just stumble on the methods for making a Hit record...the producing skills have got to be learned and learned hard.  'How To Make A $Million From Your Music' is the best programme for this knowledge https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm. 

I cannot understand how their record company is allowing this.  They must be extremely small time.

<<<<<<<<What are my options regarding copy write>>>>>>>

I'm sure you mean 'copyright'?

As soon as any song is committed to any kind of hard copy....paper, tape, CD ... then it is automatically, legally copyrighted and belongs to the writer.  In your case yourself and your co-writer.   In the States they operate a 'belt and braces' system where all writers are encouraged to lodge their work with the Library of Congress for a small fee. 

I advise all songwriters to own their own music publishing company so that all material can be held in the company and properly protected.  Also, it ensures that you get 100% of the royalties instead of 50% which a publisher will allow you to have.

You should have your own company and should have a single song assignment contract signed by yourself and your co-writer ... then that is lodged with PRS to ensure you get the correct royalties..

Go to www.makehits.co.uk/publishing.htm to get 'How To Start Your Own Music Publishing Company For Less Than £100".

<<<<<<<production payment, royalties >>>>>>>>

This is purely done by negotiation.  Most top producers work on small out of pocket expenses plus a points [percentage] deal.  Pete Waterman always boasts that he never charged more than £500 in expenses for any production but made many $Millions in percentage royalties.

The top producers would have to be convinced the track is Top Three Potential material before even considering it.

Production royalties are usually 2.5% - 3.5% of gross retail.  I am talking here of producing.... not programming on computer....that is a different skill.   I am also strictly talking of 'producing' - not being a production company who pay out all the expenses, producing fees, session fees, studio time, promotion etc.  That is a different deal altogether ... here we are talking specifically about an independent producer hired for the job. 

The producer organises every single detail...the studio booking, musicians, session singers .... then directs the sessions and directs the complete vocal performance [making it a Hit performance] ... then directs the mix and finally arranges the mastering.

Best advice?  Never switch the studio lights on until all contracts are agreed and signed. To do otherwise is amateur and a recipe for total disaster.   I see this cause problems every single week. 

You are completely forgetting the most important royalty PPL [Phonographic Performance Limited]  and VPL [Video Performance Limited] which is paid directly to the performer/performers of the record every time it is played ANYWHERE in public...TV, Radio, clubs, venues, pubs etc.etc..  This is usually called 'Harry Fox' royalties in the States.  This generates HUGE money from radio plays and TV plays.  Always make sure you play or sing on every music production you are involved with ... that way you collect these type of royalties.

Regards

DEC [Cluskey]
mailto:dec@makehits.co.uk

Just released:- "57 Secrets of a Hit Record" ...  - 260 pages of the Secrets plus the CDrom Analysis Software and Audio CD to ensure that your music is a Potential Hit  www.makehits.com/57Secrets.htm
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