[Dixielandjazz] Payments to copyright holders

[Tom Belmessieri]

Will,

I read with interest the information and complaints logged about copyright 
ineffectiveness and misuse.  These and your notes are very timely since I 
had just started to fill out an application to join ASCAP as a composer.  
Some of my songs are in the style of OKOM and are performed by my band, but 
I wanted to start getting some royalties when they are played on the air 
from our CD.  I must say that I am thinking twice about applying after 
reading all this talk.  I know piracy is alive and well although I'm not 
sure if OKOM is much of a target.  I will have to weigh the pros and cons of 
becoming a member of ASCAP or BMI.  I am sure there are other organizations 
too.  Thank you for shedding some light on the pro side.

Tom Belmessieri

---------
>From: will connelly <willc at highstream.net>
>Reply-To: willc at highstream.net
>To: LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing <sign.guy at charter.net>
>CC: DIXIELAND JAZZ POST <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Payments to copyright holders
>Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 17:08:29 -0400
>
>Larry:
>When one of my songs gets airplay, ASCAP pays me royalties based on a
>formula that would puzzle Einstein. Formula, schmormula - I find the
>amounts (and I assure you, it's the amount on the check that interests
>me) adequate and probably fair. ASCAP administrative expense eats up
>about 15% or royalty moneys received - composers, authors and publishers
>get the rest.
>If a song of mine is used on a record, the Harry Fox Agency collects
>from the record company, deducts its costs and distributes the rest to
>me.
>Kindly,
>Will Connelly
>ASCAP songwriter
>
>
>
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