JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Paying to co-write with a 'hitmaker'

Yeah Jim, that's true, I suppose. It's probably because we as songwriters look at our songs as products of our imagination and skills. I'm thinking differently here - of the act of writing the song as an educational experience.

In any case though, a song IS the likely outcome of this experience. The odds of anything happening with one of these songs is probably pretty slim but it could happen - in which case it should be spelled out in advance who gets songwriting credit.

Ethically, I think the hit-writer should say, "You just paid me $2500 for this session. This is work for hire so I have no piece of the song, if you want to do anything with it." If the hit-writer realizes during the session that this is going to be a really GOOD song, he should say, "I'd be willing to return your money if you'd agree that this is a co-write".

However, taking money for the co-writing session and then insisting on an equal cut of the writing would have some ethical problems, imo. I suppose a deal could be struck where, if the song goes anywhere, $2500 comes off the top for the customer before the writers royalties are split. Even that seems a little sleazy to me - though it might appeal to some customers.....

Scott