CityBeats App

[SmallTimeCharlie]

Don't know if there are any musos amongst you, or you know of any who have submitted,
but I have had 2 tracks accepted, which is great, for the forthcoming CityBeats App, but having read the terms and conditions, it seems City would have all the rights to the tracks as soon as they've been thru the app/ remixed, forever.
I have asked for these terms to be revised; I am not bragging. If you know anyone who has or intends to submit tracks, please make sure they read clauses 15 & 16 - they will be giving their tracks away, including the copyright, for no recompense apart from some exposure.
Link - http://www.mcfc.co.uk/news/club-news/2012/june/city-beats-launch

[paul_oresteia]

Hmmm...it's the first I've heard of this app and sounds like a bit of a con mate.

So City are gonna take your tracks so that fans (app users) can remix them?

Would make sense that they'd need full control over your music in order to make money and own the remixes...but I don't agree with it at all. Means that the guy (in this case, you) that's written & recorded the music in the first place is being fucled over. It's a shame if they are doing that because at the start they are saying how they want to champion new talent but are not really rewarding that talent properly. I guess Noel Gallagher has made a career out of ripping other artists off though eh?

Unless I have completely the wrong end of the stick? In which case, ignore me!!

All sounds very bizarre...

[SmallTimeCharlie]

Paul, you're absolutely spot on - the app itself is legit, and on the surface a great way for unknown (as yet..) artists to get some
exposure - Motorhead have exactly the same app by the same people for their fans. Anyone with an i-whatever will be able to download the app free and have fun remixing stuff - Mike Pickering has chosen the tracks so you know they're going to be decent.
However, as I have pointed out, the terms are exactly as you have understood - someone comes up with a great remix, sells it to
an advertiser, becomes a club smash, whatever, and there's nothing in it for the original creator. Totally unfair.
I wrote this post as warning to others - I have asked for the terms to be changed, which I hope they do - but if anyone knows anyone that has or may submit music, then let them know. It'd be nice to come on here and let you know it's sorted and go d/l the thing.
Oh, and I used to think that about Noel, but then remembered good artists borrow from other artists, and great artists steal outright.

[paul_oresteia]

Being a musician myself this sort of thing really pisses me off to be honest. To expect someone to sign over their art for free is awful.

I think exposure for unsigned artists is sometimes more important than any cash you'd get directly from the app but, as you say, if somebody strikes gold from remixing your track and earns a bucket load from it then it'd be more than a bit annoying.

Of course, it may never get that far and the app could just be for fun. But there must be a reason for a company to set up this kind of competition in the first place? That reason, more often than not, is money and the big companies don't care who they're fucling over to make it.

I'd like to think City would pull the plug on it... They don't need the money from a scam like this, in my opinion, it can only do them harm.

I wonder of Mr Pickering would give a song to the app & get no royalties from it what so ever? I think PRS would probably have some very strong views on apps/competitions like this.

I'm ranting now.

[Tokyo Blue]

Nothing wrong with ranting, Paul, especially when you're right.

[SmallTimeCharlie]

Paul,
You're right, only the Company is City. They would own the music. They are the Promoter of this competition/ app. They would be screwing me over. Don't want to fall out with my bloody team! Still waiting for the lawyers to agree to my terms. Can't believe there are other artists who have accepted them - they may not have, but no mention has been made.
Hope this ends amicably..