Scott Amort wrote:
Hi All,
This is not strictly Finale related, but this seems like a very
knowledgeable group to get some advice from. I was recently sent a job
description for some music arranging and typesetting services. In
general, I only do engraving work, so I'm not too familiar with the
legalities surrounding arrangements. Basically, the contract is from a
composer to arrange and engrave 12 of his own works. What set of some
alarm bells for me is the following statement in his email:
The arrangement would become the property of the composer.
Is this a usual requirement? Does this mean that I am essentially
signing away any claim to this arrangement (i.e. the composer will not
need to credit me, nor obtain my permission to use, alter or perform
it)? It seems to me that the composer is looking for someone else to do
his work for him and still retain ownership, but maybe I'm just not
aware of how this sort of thing usually works. He is offering union rates.
Assuming you're in the U.S., the original copyright owner owns all the
copyrights in any derivative works. It's part of the law, not just what
the composer wants.
He's asking you to do a work for hire -- if you want the work and/or
need the money, do it. If not, don't do it. What are union rates for
such arrangements?
Any credit that arrangers get such as you see for published arrangements
is part of the contract between the original copyright owner (or his/her
agents such as a publisher) and the arranger.
Offer an alternative arrangement, in a contract, whereby your name must
appear whenever these arrangements are published and see what he says.
Have you heard the works in question -- maybe you won't want your name
associated with the works after all. ;-)
--
David H. Bailey
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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