Frequently Asked Questions
This following
is a list of frequently asked questions
regarding Nerus Records :
What's
a bar code, and why do I need it?
Hell
with that. What if I don't get one?
What
if I make one up?
That
stinks. How much to get my own bar code from the UCC?
Do
I need a new bar code for each medium I use?
Do I lose any rights if I register my CD with Nerus
Records?
Do I have any obligations if I register with Nerus
Records?
Will Nerus Records make any money off my CD aside from
the registration fee?
What if I already have my own label, or if I get picked
up by a major?
I already made my CDs.
Okay, I'll add the bar code using stickers, but what
about the next batch?
So are you selling the bar codes?
I'm from outside the US. Can I use this service?
What's
a bar code, and why do I need it?
Bar codes are an easy
way for vendors to keep track of inventory, because it lets them scan the
product number right into their computer. The alternative would be for them
to punch in, by hand, the identifying number every time there was a sale.
Nobody wants do this, which is why you find bar codes on everything from
toothpaste to rocket parts. Distributors (and most retail stores) don't
want to handle products without bar codes, which basically means if you
don't have one, they don't want your product. Doesn't matter how good it
sounds, or how much of your life you've sunk into it. It isn't considered
"retail ready" without a bar code, so (in essence) your project
isn't commercially complete until you get one.
Hell
with that. What if I don't get one?
Nothing.
Literally.
You won't be able to get it into many online or "brick and mortar" stores, you will have a problem getting a distributor to carry it, and you will be presenting your product as a "vanity" project. But, you may not need a bar code if:
-
Your CD is just a demo.
-
You want to give it to your friends and family (Look Ma!)
-
You're only going to be selling them at shows (not a bad idea...)
-
You're only selling them on your web site
-
You're only selling them at retailers that doesn't insist on your having one
What
if I make one up?
Well, for one thing, it won't work with retailers. Second of all, you
won't get any credit for sales (assuming you copied a real one and just
stuck on your CD.)
That
stinks. How much to get my own bar code from the GS1?
You can go their web site (https://www.gs1.org/) and buy one. But, unfortunately, they won't sell you
just one. Nope, they insist you buy at least 10. And you have to pay
$250 plus another $50/year for the privilege of buying all those codes that
you don't need. Or, you could buy 100 for $750 plus $150 a year.
And, they're the only place that sells them. Some
racket, huh?
That's why Nerus Records is offering this service. For a
fraction of the cost, you get a legal bar code
and are ready to go. Plus, you become part of the Nerus Records catalog,
which can lead to better distribution opportunities. None of the major
distributors want to deal with small indie labels that only have two or
three releases in their catalogs. Through Nerus Records, you can (at your
discretion and the distributors desire) get real distribution through
one of the Big Four or their associates.
Do
I need a new bar code for each medium I use?
Yup.A new code graphic needs to be generated for format, including digital..
But when you see the price sheet,
you'll see that we're not taking advantage of that to rip you off. We
charge a minimum amount for variations on each number. However, if you
want numerous bar codes for your numerous releases, each one needs a completely
new number. We have quantity registration fees to cover that situation,
so that you can get the codes you need without breaking the bank.
HOWEVER - if you're releasing a digital version of your record, and want to sell each track individually, you DON'T need a new UPC for each one. Instead, you need to add ISRC codes to each track. You can buy a lifetime registration which covers up to 100,000 codes per year (!) for $95 from ISRC (International Standard Recording Code).
Although places like CD Baby and Discmakers will supply them for you for free (unless you specifically ask Discmakers NOT to), remember this:
Those ISRC codes belong to THEM, not YOU.
And after everything you went through, wouldn't you like those codes to be yours?
Do
I lose any rights if I register my CD with Nerus Records?
Absolutely not. You keep all rights connected with your CD. The
bar code, however, remains the property of Nerus Records. That's because
the Nerus Records vendor code is a unique number that's actually part
of the bar code. See "Why A UPC" for more information about that, which explains why the bar code HAS to remain our property whether we like it or not..
Do
I have any obligations if I register with Nerus Records?
The only obligations you have are to include the bar code and the
Nerus Records logo somewhere
on the tray card. If you want to release your product in the future
without the Nerus Records bar code or logo, just print the next batch
without them. You can also put a sticker over the existing Nerus Records
bar codes on CDs that are already printed. We have to ask you to send
us one copy of your release before we register you with Soundscan,
and to contact us in writing when you want your release off
of our catalog. There is no time limit for how long you can use your
bar code, it is entirely up to you.
Will
Nerus Records make any money off my CD aside from the registration fee?
Nope. You get all the profit from sales, or royalties from use of your
release. Plus, you don't have to sell your product through us. Sell it
any way you want!
What
if I already have my own label, or if I get picked up by a major?
You put both labels on the tray. Take a look at some of the commercial
CDs you own, and you'll probably notice two, three, or even more labels
listed on the back. One is the original label, the others are part of
the distribution chain. If you get picked up by a major, congratulations!
You let us know, we remove you from our catalog, and your Nerus Records
releases become collectors items (like the Beatles on Vee Jay) Remember,
you don't have a contract with us that gives us any rights to control
your recording. You don't need our permission in any way to conduct your
business.
I
already made my CDs.
You can use the supplied graphic files to make stickers, either clear
or colored. Just slap 'em on the back of the CD, and you're ready to go.
We can make them for you, but we HIGHLY recommend you do it yourself.
It's cheaper, and you can make more whenever you need to.
Okay,
I'll add the bar code using stickers, but what about the next batch?
Before you reorder your CDs, add the bar code graphic along with the logo
graphic to your CD artwork for your next batch. Obviously, you'll have
to move things around a bit, so be ready to make those changes.
So
are you selling the bar codes?
No, we're not. We're charging you to be listed as part of the Nerus Records
catalog, and once you've agreed to be listed we have to issue you
a bar code. The difference is, we don't require that you sell your
records through us exclusively. You can sell them any way you like, and
our bar code allows it to be handled in an industry standard manner.
I'm
from outside the US. Can I use this service?
Sure can. It's a very cost-effective way for non-US bands to get their
products retail ready for the US market.
Any other questions: E-mail Us!
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