Waverly’s manager insists that she immediately join a performing rights organization

Scenario: You are working as a summer intern at the entertainment law firm of Dewey Cheetum & Howe. Your firm represents an exciting new musical talent, Waverly Keane, who goes by the stage name of Medusa Myth. Waverly is currently in negotiations with Warner Music for a record deal as a singer-songwriter and with Warner/Chappell for a publishing deal. Her manager has advised her on a number of issues, but she would like to know more.

1. Waverly’s manager insists that she immediately join a performing rights organization. She asks you to explain what this is and why she should join.

2 Waverly is unsure how publisher and writer royalties are divided and why her manager is demanding a co-publishing deal for her. Explain this for her.

3. Waverly knows that there are a number of potential ways to license her music but would like you to explain them to her, including the technical terms.

4.Waverly’s manager has told her that a Distributor One Sheet will have to be prepared. She is too shy to ask him what this is (she would rather pretend that she knows), so she asks you instead. Explain what the One Sheet is and what information it contains.

5. Waverly says that her manager is putting together an Electronic Press Kit for her but she is not sure what should go into it. Tell her the important components of the EPK.