Rights Managements systems -
the best way to control your rights
by Boris Szulzinger

Rights Management Solutions have never been high on the priority list of the attendees at film or TV events whether they are buyers, sellers or producers. It probably hasn’t been on the list at all. In fact, rights management is a term that has only become part of the accepted language in the past couple of years.

However, we all know that the television market is constantly fragmenting and increasing in complexity which in turn puts pressure on traditional methods of operation. There is a growing realization that the only way forward is to employ software solutions to unlock the full value of your rights and that the use of modern, computer-based back-office systems is a necessity.

The task of thoroughly controlling the rights you own and the detection of infringements has been too cumbersome and expensive up to now for most organizations in the industry. Those who have purchased systems in the past have cursed their inflexibility and their inability to provide the information you want, in the format you want it, at the time you want it. Others have paid consultants to take over and manage their systems for them or have stopped using the system altogether and reverted to simple spreadsheets or pen and paper.

The experience of many people in the business when confronted with new computer systems has not always been a positive one. Getting IT professionals to understand your business requirements is especially difficult in the arcane world of Intellectual Property and complex deal making. The development of multiple windows, holdbacks, new forms of distribution and types of rights has only added to the complexity.

The alternative way is to benefit from tailored cost-effective software to track and manage all stages and status of rights; automatically calculating possible rights collisions, generating claims and reports, analyzing financial statements, issuing participant statements and integrating with well-known accounting packages to trigger and manage financial transfers between parties.

The market demands easy-to-use solutions and companies like mine are raising our profile and that of our solutions. Our approach is based on our long experience of the industry. We were filmmakers, international distributors and royalty collectors before we were software solution providers and have built our system from the business point of view.

Any valuable software solution will require financial investment but that investment can generate positive benefits and returns very quickly. Each user, be they in sales, legal, contracts, finance or senior management will be able to do their job more effectively because they will have instant access to accurate and timely information. Time is also saved for the input of information, as a well-designed system will not require the repeated input of any piece of data, which will significantly reduce the prospect of putting in incorrect information and lessen the chances of getting garbage out.

Good relationships and memory will still be a key factor in doing successful business but the correct rights management system will enhance your business by giving you more time to focus on the relationships and making money.

Rights management has become a familiar phrase at many MIP meetings for all attendees. It has even been heard in the Martinez bar.

If this whets your appetite, come and see for yourself and, we believe that rights management will end up higher on your priority list.

Boris Szulzinger - CEO - ScreenExchange Ltd