Possibility of selling performing rights online

[!Alex]

What do you think about the matter that composers can sell their performing rights directly to
performers, without any intermediary like performing rights societies? You see, I met in the
internet this proposal of selling performing rights online
http://www.load.cd/services/performing_rights.html. I've never seen similar services in the
internet. May be you have? Please, share your opinion, thanks!

[marquis66]

I think that can only serve to open the industry up. Licensing societies are great in some regards. But as a composer, who operates on a small scale, and I should be allowed to self-distribute without *having* to go through a licensing agency. They should be there to promote, not restrict.

[GrahamLynch]

In my opinion the royalties system is really poor, at least as far as classical composers are concerned. But...my guess is that most venues will want to issues royalties through established societies, and not other smaller companies like Load CD.

[operagal]

Hopefully I am understanding this thread and not going off-topic.

I just got out of some really EVIL negotiations with a venue/performing arts organization doing work with students.

Here in the US, "artist representatives" like ASCAP/BMI and SESAC have actually tried to license the performing rights for artists NOT in their roster - artists who represent themselves.

most artists think that being in ASCAP/BMI is a huge perk, because they don't understand exactly what it is they are giving away.

Indie rock musicians and some folk artists get this. If classical music ensembles would stop pretending that it is the 1980's and that the music industry is going to build their career, they would get a lot farther.

The worst part are the strong-arm tactics used by ASCAP/BMI to get the VENUES to pay their exorbitant fees, many of which aren't legal or necessary.

Most venues are so afraid that these behemoths will shut them down that they cave and pay the fees...

[Florestan]

Originally Posted by operagal

Indie rock musicians and some folk artists get this. If classical music ensembles would stop pretending that it is the 1980's and that the music industry is going to build their career, they would get a lot farther.

Well said!

[vicvoss]

I've been trying for over a decade to get odd pieces played, without wanting any royalties. This development of load ( see http://vicvoss.musicaneo.com/ ) is good. There is also Classical connect ( http://www.classicalconnect.com/composer/Vic-Voss ) , Score Exchange ( http://www.scoreexchange.com/search?composer=Voss ) and others. Years ago, when my WebRing was flourishing, I could get helpful (rude is best) criticism from Ring members, but so far I've had no comments from any of the above sites. Perhaps if I suggested £25 a time to read the score, there would be a rush. Probably drifting off topic, but if any of you performers would be kind enough to send ANY comments on my amateur efforts ( Vic's Music Site, www.vicvoss.me.uk/ ), I'd be really grateful.