Well I don't have a contract yet but...

[Nathan Allen Pinard]

I also have a job in line. After reading the previous post about contracts, I had a few questions. But it's not question pertaining to film/tv, but more games.

I currently am in line to do the music for an MMO FPS called Ruthless Earth. A post-apoc genre. I had to jump on this ASAP because I LOVE this type of genre.

Anyway, the contract is simple. No upfront pay but a %. Exactly what I do not know, but when the contracts are sent out I shall have someone look over that in that regard. Granted, it's something that could equal to nothing, but for a first gaming project ever it's a good deal to me. And since it's an actual licensed company it does count as real work experience. I figured with all the music I'm going to create, if the project goes belly up I'll have a package of demos to send out.

Can't say much about the game at this moment, but I had questions related to game contracts.

1. By my research and talking to some accomplished game composers on the phone, I most likely will have to sign over the rights. My question is: Is it possible to have the contract specify that if it does not get published, the rights are still mine? Or is this just a risk I'll have to take?

2. When it comes to royalties, do I still need to submit cue sheets or equivalent and register all my music on BMI? (I am a member of BMI)

[Dannthr]

I'm no expert, so I'll just preface what I say with that, but I don't see why you can't have a contract with that clause in there.

Also, as I've always understood it, BMI and ASCAP and other royalty collecting agencies simply do what you are burdened to do anyway. It's the responsibility of the copyright owner to collect the royalties due, that's what these agencies are for, so you can do other stuff instead of traveling around the country. For that service they take their tidy percentage.

I don't see anything wrong with registering your music with BMI, maybe someone can explain what would be problematic with that. However, if for some reason the music is only published in the game and it's never used outside of that context, then you already have a relationship with the only person selling your music.

Of course, if the contract says you don't own the music afterward, then there's no point in registering music that isn't yours.

Make sure you're clear on understanding what "rights" you're selling away.

[tmhuud]

You can have a contract *say* anything you want. AS to wether anyone will SIGN the contract... That's another story.

Regarding your BMI question: Why not ask them?

BMI London

84 Harley House
Marylebone Rd.
London NW1 5HN England
44-171-486-2036
Fax: 44-171-224-1046
e-mail: london@bmi.com

BMI Los Angeles

8730 Sunset Blvd.
3rd Floor West
Los Angeles, CA 90069
310-659-9109
Fax: 310-657-6947
e-mail: losangeles@bmi.com