About us
About websongs
websongs.com provides a central resource where people that have,an interest in music can search and locate songs and recordings; register as a user, list details of your own songs and/or recordings, upload associated files (PDF's in Songs for Manuscript Music, Chord Charts and Lyrics, mp3's for audio files and .flv for video files in Madter Recordings), register as a "websongs Pro" user to allow your contact details to be seen by others; and to find details of other websongs Pro users, apply for online copyright registration of specific songs and upload relevant PDF or mp3 files, and having registered a song, download a websongs Copyright Registration Certificate at any time.
Whilst websongs provides a resource for all music to be listed and found, it importantly creates a new online method for Songwriters to register their copyrights, on a worldwide basis, in a cost effective and technically efficient manner.
As the world moves towards a truly worldwide copyright system, websongs leads the way, as many of the new works from new Songwriters on websongs can be licensed to global TV and film companies, with all rights (master and underlying work) being available from one centralised source. Of course, please be assured that websongs would not consider issuing any such licence without the full prior consent of the writer or recording artist, which will necessarily involve explaining what is on offer, and ensuring that the writer or recording artist is completely happy with the terms being offered. Obviously, the respective CVs of the websongs directors puts websongs in an ideal position to obtain an offer of a licensed use for the work and also negotiate an excellent deal for the writer or artist in question.
New Media Law LLP
websongs is proud to be affliated with New Media Law LLP, the Soho, London law practice. websongs is delighted to announce that New Media Law is happy to offer up to one hour's free advice to websongs registered users in respect of any music copyright issue, or indeed advice on any industry contract that you may have received, or other aspect of your career. You can find out more about New Media Law here.
History of websongs
websongs was set up by music industry veteran and entertainment and media lawyer Ian Penman. Ian felt that the time had come for a centralised, worldwide music information and copyright resource, that was not tied to the nationalistic and outdated systems of copyright management.
Ian originally registered websongs.Com on 18 December 1996, knowing that one day, such a stunning and original domain name could become important.
Over the following 10 years, he conceived a number of different models for its use, from online record company to online music publisher but realised that none of them would add something special to the music industry, and so rejected them.
In 2007, the 11th year of the name's existence, Ian conceived the concept of a "google" for music, where the details for all songs and recordings would be stored, but without some of the "wheat and chaff" that an ordinary (unedited) search engine throws up. He also imagined a website where songwriters, composers and musicians could register their copyright works. This latter idea gestated during one of the numerous conversations with new young writers that The Law Society recommends call Ian at his office asking: "How do I register the copyright in my song?" The answer has (until now) always been: "There are one or two places where you can do this, the most famous of which is in Washington (in the USA), where it costs $45 (approx £22.50) to register a work (*). But what most writers do (and have done for some time) is send a copy of the work (usually a CD) to yourself via registered post, and then don't open the package when it arrives! At least until asked to do so by a Chancery Division Judge!!" When one of these young writers complained that he wrote 5-10 songs a week, and that the cost of sending just one CD by registered post was £9.25 (**), it became apparent that the time had come for a more cost effective and useful service - hence the copyright registration service at websongs.com.
(*)www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html
(**) www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?mediaId=19100228&catId=19100178
websongs Patrons
Listed below are a selection of our patrons, who are kind enough to support websongs:
- New Media Law - Entertainment and Media Law firm www.newmedialaw.biz
- Peter McCamley - Music Publisher - P & P Songs Limited www.pandpsongs.com
- Magnus Fiennes - Songwriter, Composer and Producer www.beatguru.com
- Einar Bardarson - CEO Believer Music / Mother Management www.believer.is
- Rick Riccobono - Director - Qtrax www.qtrax.com
- Peter Michau - Lawyer - DLA Piper www.dlapiper.com
- Colin Peter - Record Distributor - Right Track Distribution www.righttrackdistribution.co.uk
- Gardar Thor Cortes - Artist www.cortes.is
About the Company
websongs limited is a UK limited company, no 05810487. Its directors are Ian Penman [CEO] and Kip Trevor [Creative/A&R Director].
IAN PENMAN - Biog
Ian Penman is the CEO of websongs and an entertainment industry lawyer, who is one of the two equity partners at the niche entertainment and media law firm, New Media Law LLP, originally founded in January 2002 and based in Soho, London.
However, Ian's career in the music industry started as a session keyboard player for artists such as Dan Hartman and John Parr from 1982-86. Wanting to get more involved in the whole record making process, Ian then moved from sessions into production and recording and became one of the owners of the inimitable London Bridge Recording Studios, which attracted established artists such as Robert Plant and Fairground Attraction and many young artists and writers called "home".
After the studio was sold in 1990, Ian went on to co-manage, alongside Tom Watkins of Bros and Pet Shop Boys fame, and produce Raising Cain, but the recession in the UK affected the music industry quite badly, so Ian decided that, it was time to consider getting a "real job". Ian noticed that the lawyers he had been working with had the best of both worlds: spending their lives in the creative industries, but not reliant on someone else's record sales to pay the mortgage. So, Ian went back to full time education and qualified as a Solicitor.
C.J. (KIP) TREVOR - Biog
Kip Trevor is the Creative/A&R Director of websongs, as well as running an independent music publishing company, developing new and established writers, producers and artists and promoting the existing catalogue.
Kip has worked in the music industry since 1968, when he began his career as a professional singer, recording 3 albums with CBS/Sony and featuring on a number of albums including "Tommy". He moved into artist management and promotions from 1977-80 and then worked in A&R from 1980-98 for companies such as Carlin Music, Warner-Chappell, Outlaw Music and Rondor Music and working with a wide range of artists from Duran Duran to Dire Straits and Garbage. He then worked in research and production on music documentaries and in production on live tours for artists such as Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams, Christina Aguilera and Luciano Pavarotti until 2005 when he became a Consultant to Surrey Strings/Abbey School of Music.
Throughout his career, Kip has continued to support young artists as a guitar teacher.
