PRS are inept. I am getting more and more concerned about where my money is (or isn't) going. Not just PRS though, lazy logging also seems to be a problem. In short it seems like no one gives a sheeyat about us composers getting our just deserts and I'm pissed off about it.

For example.

Last (Dec) distribution.

Got paid for 4 tracks that aren't mine. Happens all the time so now I don't bother telling them - too much hassle. Some tracks I have been paid for when I know the show it was on and I know the track used was the next one on the CD. So someone couldn't be arsed to log that correctly. So who's getting my cash? Cos if I'm constantly getting someone elses...

I had some tracks used in a BBC 1 series. Got paid for one that wasn't used. Didn't get paid for another that was used. Another I had logged at 13 mins used on 5 shows. Statement shows 3 shows at a lot less than 13 mins. PRS database (cue sheets) seems to indicate more logging probs and doesn't show it being used as the end theme on 4 occasions.

PRS database also highlights usages that weren't paid for. These are correctable however but it involves contacting them and we all know what a mare that is.

And much more...

Unfortunately, we can't do anything about it because it's an organization more secretive and insular than the freemasons.

I think I'm gonna give up composing and go back to stacking shelves. At least I'll get paid for what I've done.

Quote The Nags Head:

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I think I'm gonna give up composing and go back to stacking shelves. At least I'll get paid for what I've done.

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True, but will you still get paid for what someone else has done?

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Dynamite with a laser beam...

The whole hit n miss element of royalty collection - is the main reason im so concerned about the inevitable mcps/non-mcps license fee crash.

As everybody tries to undercut each other on the license fees PRS is pretty much all we're left with :-(

Nags Head,
let's face it,
your story is 100% typical,
and the only real way we're gonna sort this out is to get some guys with baseball bats, pay a visit to PRS' offices, and, you know, really explain things to them...

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~~~ A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen as you are tossed with! www.feline1.co.uk ~~~

Enough publishers are guilty of this too - a friend of mine is used to being bemused by the statements she gets from her publisher. She's raised it with them and has been told not to worry as "it all evens out"...

Quote John M:

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She's raised it with them and has been told not to worry as "it all evens out"...

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Yes, I hear people often use this excuse at the Old Bailey...

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~~~ A weasel hath not such a deal of spleen as you are tossed with! www.feline1.co.uk ~~~

It seems a common complaint and yet no one seems to EVER actually DO anything about it!?

I've already mentioned in other threads that SOS are probably in quite a unique position - in that their readership, I suspect, represents quite a large body of composers affected by these issues - yet there seems to be no will to thoroughly investigate these kinds of things.

I remain convinced that composers could really do with a Union or organisation of some kind (with teeth!) to properly represent them - and please don't mention the MU - my experience of them is that they're more than happy enough sitting fat dumb and happy.

Anyway, it's very frustrating indeed, especially since the decline in unit sales will probably put much more emphasis on the income generated from royalties 'collected' elsewhere.

Thought about writing to your MP? Dunno, just an idea...

Yeah - a union dedicated to fighting for the rights of media composers would be good.

Maybe we should all have a think and try and come up with something?

I saw in the Sunday Indie that a couple of supermodels had decided to join Equity as they were sick of being unrepresented and exploited, forced to sleep with clients etc.

Equity is not a completely daft suggestion... and you'd have some supermodels to chat up at the annual conference!

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Dynamite with a laser beam...

Quote Steve Hill:

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... and you'd have some supermodels to chat up at the annual conference!

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oohhh I better start combing my eyebrows !