Whew. So much information here. Controlled composition clauses, new media clauses, packaging deductions…yeesh.

All these things are alive and well, but some things have changed. Marcy Rauer Wagman of Drexel University says that this is the first year that she hasn’t had any label contract (mini, major, or affiliate) that she hasn’t seen any “new media deductions”, and the two most recent ones didn’t have “packaging deductions”.

This was one panel where I wish there were more than just half the room holding their hands up when “are there any artists here?” was asked. Pay attention to details, pay attention to definitions, pay attention to terms (and ideally have one of these panelists or someone of their experience/skill by your side).

Now labels are asking for co-publishing, they want to profit from touring, endorsements, merchandising, etc…

But at the same time…Wayne Halper has an important point when he asks “Do you want to play in the major word? Or do you want to play in the independent world? There’s a huge upstream in the independent world…there’s a cap on that side. So, do you want to go for a royal flush or a pair? These are the rules of the game.”

My favorite part of the panel though is when ringtones came up. “Millions sold!” Yeah…we’ve heard it…

So I really appreciated when Mary chuckled quietly and said…

“Not for long.”

THANK YOU. Hear hear…

Great end to the first day…we’ll be back again tomorrow!