COLLEGE OF EXTENDED LEARNING
INSTRUCTOR:
Michael R. Ashburne, Esq.
(for more information see http://mrashburne.com/ )
email: mrashburne@aol.com
Phone: 510-715-5000
DEPARTMENT: MUSIC/RECORDING INDUSTRY PROGRAM
COURSE NAME: MUSIC PUBLISHING
COURSE NUMBER: MRI-362, FALL 2011
TIME: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30pm; August 23rd to December 6th
UNITS: 3
LOCATION: SFSU DOWNTOWN CENTER,
835 Market Street
San Francisco, CA
6th Floor (EXACT ROOM TO BE ANNOUNCED)
Course Description:
This course is a review of the music publishing business from a business and legal perspective. It is intended to give the student a broad overview of the basic components of the music publishing business including the financial, business, and legal aspects of those components. More importantly, we will examine how those components interact as popular music finds its way from the creation of a song through the various steps involved in securing, protecting, and exploiting that composition.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course students will understand the basic concepts of copyright creation, ownership, protection, administration, and commercial exploitation of musical compositions. Students will be able to readily distinguish rights in musical compositions as distinct from rights in master recordings; Students will become familiar with copyright registration procedures, and how music publishing business entities are set up and administered whether by an individual songwriter or on a larger scale; Students will understand the origins of the various music publishing income streams and affiliation procedures for performing rights organizations.
Course Content
The course content will consist of the instructor’s lectures and notes, guest lectures by music publishing professionals, assigned articles and the following texts:
"The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing” by Randall Wixen 2nd Ed
“Music Publishing - The Roadmap to Royalties” (2008)
Ron Sobel and Dick Weissman; Published by Routledge
Additional Reference Books:
“Making Music Make Money” by Eric Beall (2004)
“Music, Money, and Success” 6th Edition by Jeffrey Brabec and Todd Brabec
“The Craft and Business of Song Writing” 3rd Edition By John Braheny
“The Business of Songwriting” by Jason Blume
“Music Supervision, Licensing, and Content Acquisition”y Brooke Wentz
Course Activities
Assigned written materials; Lectures; Guest Speakers from Professionals working in the Music Publishing Industry; Internet exercises designed to familiarize students with key tasks of copyright registration and public performance affiliation and registration requirements; Mock negotiation of publishing agreements; Midterm and Final; Practice in steps required to set up and operate your own music publishing company
Course Assessment Activities
Primary assessment activities are a midterm and a final exam; exams are multiple choice and fill in the blank questions; Written paper may be assigned as extra credit or required. Internet proficiency in key music publishing areas to be demonstrated by completing online exercises;
Class Meeting Dates: 2011
1st Class: | Tuesday, August 23rd |
2nd Class: | Tuesday, August 30th |
3rd Class: | Tuesday, September 6th |
4th Class: | Tuesday, September 13th |
5th Class: | Tuesday, September 20th |
6th Class: | Tuesday, September 27th |
7th Class: MID TERM EXAM | Tuesday, October, 4th |
8th Class: | Tuesday, October 11th |
9th Class: | Tuesday, October 18th |
10th Class: | Tuesday, October 25th |
11th Class: | Tuesday, November 1st |
12th Class: | Tuesday, November 8th |
13th Class Tuesday, November 15th NO CLASS TUESDAY NOVEMBER 22ND -THANKSGIVING BREAK | |
14th Class | Tuesday, November 29th |
15th Class FI NAL | Tuesday, December 6th |
Class Preparation and Rules
1. Each student will receive reading assignments via this blog. I will expect you to have read the assignments for the upcoming class by the time you arrive for that class.
2. Bring personal projects, news, enthusiasm and, above all, questions to class to stimulate discussion for the benefit of all.
3. During class, please be respectful and do not interrupt when anyone else is speaking.
4. Please try to eat before class or during the class break and not during class.
5. Please check the glossary on the blog for industry terms used in this course.
6. To make the course more realistic, we will have a mock negotiating sessions with class members on each side of the negotiation table. When mock negotiations take place, you will be advised what type of contract is to be negotiated. Come prepared to negotiate for either party to the contract.
Grading:
Office Hours:
Grading:
90-100 =A- to A
80-89 =B- to B+
70-79 =C- to C+
60-69 =D- to D+
0-59 =F
30% of the grade will be determined by the exams given during the course, excluding the final. The final examination is worth 40% Another 15% will be based on class participation and completion of any assignments. The remaining 15% will be based on attendance.
Here is an example of how it works:
Course Weight | Grade Percentage | Points | Student Scores | |
Final Exam | 40% | 80% x | 40 | = 32 |
Mid-Term | 30% | 75% x | 30 | = 22.5 |
Attendance | 15% | 85% x | 15 | = 12.75 |
Assignments | 15% | 100% x | 15 | = 15 |
Total | 100% | 100 | 80.25 = B- |
Office Hours:
Instructor does not have regular office hours, however meeting before class is possible by appointment. You can reach instructor by email at mrashburne@aol.com or at (510-715-5000) if you have questions about the course or want to make an appointment.
