HOW IP ISSUES ARE AFFECTING THE NASHVILLE MUSIC COMMUNITY INTERNATIONALLY

 

OVERALL:   Music is an artificially devalued commodity, and the creators/producers of the music are suffering due to lack of ability to exercise control of their IP rights relating to supply/demand in the digital marketplace.

 

SONGWRITERS:

 

• Issues facing

1. Changed business model

2. Lack of education in copyright

   • Rights bundle

   • Licensing terms/ processes

   • Related organizations / societies

   • Entrepreneurship

3. Lack of control over IP

   • Compulsory licensing

   • Blanket licensing / consent decrees

   • Fragmented income sources

4. Change in consumer behavior toward streaming

5. Failure of access partners timely remuneration (tech no/low pay)

6. Specifically

   • Roughly 91% reduced income b/c of shift from physical mechanicals to streaming income

   • No ability to regulate supply/demand after initial distribution

7. Insufficient systems in place for administration duties/requirements

 

MUSICIANS / ARTISTS / LABELS

• Owners of sound recording copyrights

 

1. Non payment of SR copyright performance royalties for terrestrial radio in United States vs rest of the world [Berne Convention / Rome Convention]

2. Less work available / reduced budgets

3. In fighting

4. Lack of education in getting paid

5. Film / TV moving toward smaller budgets and non-Union

6. See also songwriters’ issues where applicable

 

This document was prepared as an attempt to outline the basic issues currently affecting the music community in Nashville, Tennessee at the request of individuals from the U.S. Department of Commerce / U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on August 18, 2017 by Songpreneurs LLC.  Please direct follow up queries to hq@songpreneurs.com.  Thank you!