Royalty Income

Dominic Thomas
Dec 2023  •  1 min read

Royalty Income

For those of you who are business minded or ‘entrepreneurial’ (perhaps the most overused business word), the ‘rules’ around royalty income may be changing.

In recent decades we have all seen, particularly in the arts, how doing your work once and then getting paid repeatedly for it is the most honest definition of a ‘passive income’.

This is most evident in the music and film sector where stars of the past continue to earn income from repeats, resales, commissions and so on of a performance long ago. In fact I think it was George Lucas and his Star Wars franchise that really brought this to most people’s attention.

Imagine, you worked hard, made an album or wrote a book and forty years later you are still collecting money for your labour. Some of our clients are in this happy position.

So the twist is that this appears to be changing, well for some anyway. Various financially successful artists have been selling their back catalogue for a single, substantial lump sum, forfeiting the future royalties.

I wonder what this suggests? Perhaps that they would prefer to have the lump sum to spend, invest or gift rather than a lifetime of income. Perhaps they are concerned about the ability and resources to prevent plagiarism in the future or to restrict the use of their materials in other ways. Perhaps they are concerned that AI will actually make them irrelevant. I don’t know why, but it’s certainly an unexpected change to the basic business model in some sectors.

In September we learned that pop princess Katy Perry has agreed a deal to sell her back catalogue for around $225m. Her actor husband Orlando Bloom played Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean, so no need for bootleg albums for Katy (or perhaps bootstrap albums, with such a load of pieces of eight).

Katy Perry reportedly makes $225m by selling her music catalogue:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-66853047

Royalty Income2023-12-17T13:36:40+00:00

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

TODAY’S BLOG

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT…

Believe it or not, the tax year end is not so far away.  Tuesday 5th April looms menacingly on the horizon … how time flies!  It seems like only yesterday that we were doing this dance, even though I’m sure that for many of you, the last year has felt like a particularly long and tough one.  You can count me among your ranks.

As that time of year approaches, we will be frequently reminding you of the prudence in making the most of your ISA allowances for the current tax year.  If you haven’t thought about this yet, please consider this your first call to action!

As a reminder, for the 2021/22 tax year, the allowances are £20,000 (per individual) for subscriptions into ISAs, and £9,000 for subscriptions into Junior ISAs (JISAs).

So that this is less of a pure reminder and somewhat informative, I will let you in on a lesser-known fact about ISAs and JISAs … 16 and 17-year-olds are able to hold both a JISA and an ISA simultaneously.

Not only are they entitled to hold both a JISA and an ISA, they are also entitled to BOTH of the annual allowances that come with them.  This means that the amount that can be saved into ISAs on behalf of these teenagers increases from £9,000 per year to £29,000 per year (all tax-free of course).

If you are looking for ways to set more funds aside for your children (or grandchildren), this might be one of the best ways to do it.  I know that some of you have utilised this benefit already.

So, whilst we have a little time before April hits us, please make sure that any intended ISA top-ups are made in good time to use up those allowances for the current tax year.  We would ask that all tax-year-end-sensitive investments are made by 25th March 2022.

We are only an email or phone call away if you need any help.

And remember that the kids are alright!

Daniel Liddicott
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on our blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to us about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Bakery, 2D Edna Road, Raynes Park, London, SW20 8BT

Email – info@solomonsifa.co.uk 
Call – 020 8542 8084

7 QUESTIONS, NO WAFFLE

Are we a good fit for you?

GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Bakery, 2D Edna Road, Raynes Park, London, SW20 8BT

Email – info@solomonsifa.co.uk    Call – 020 8542 8084

7 QUESTIONS, NO WAFFLE

Are we a good fit for you?

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT2024-02-08T16:46:43+00:00

Does your financial plan make your heart sing?

Does your financial plan make your heart sing?

If you grew up in the 70’s or 80’s there’s a new film that might stir a few memories. Sing Street is set in Dublin in the mid-80’s a secondary schoolboy finds his muse and musical inspiration from an imploding family life.

It’s the sort of movie that touches the familiar and a rite of passage that most of us traverse at some point in adolescence. However it is also a reminder to seize the day and not be swayed by the bullies or those that would otherwise wish to determine your course rather than address their inability to see one for themselves.

As an adult, I increasingly find myself staring at someone I barely recognise in the bathroom mirror, yet generally don’t find myself “thinking old”. Indeed almost everyone I meet at some point tells me that they do not think their age. Our own internal projections of self are often a contrast to the external. Of course with age sometimes comes wisdom, but certainly experience – which invariably alters our behaviour and attitudes, we are not who we once were. We have become responsible, whether through choice or necessity.

Sensible and Sensibility?

We know that we need to budget, save and build a pension, all laudable but fairly dull right? Sometimes being an adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, to be care-free certainly has its appeal, yet we know that our conformity is inevitably necessary. Financial products smack of everything that is “sensible” (at least the good ones) but they really are very dull and few would really wish to spend long discussing them.

However a good financial planner brings attention to your purpose – beyond simply repaying the mortgage and bills, confronting the question – what is your purpose? And what makes you come alive? For me this is a little reminiscent of adolescence, feeling on the cusp of huge potential. There are plenty willing to tell us what is and what is not possible, but a dream with a plan of action is invariably the difference between indifference and achievement. Sing Street is a triumph. Your financial planning can be too.

Here is the official trailer, you may have to hunt the film out as it isn’t showing in many cinemas (its blockbuster season) but its worth the effort.

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

Does your financial plan make your heart sing?2023-12-01T12:19:13+00:00

Hopeful Christmas

Hopeful Christmas

Where does the time go? Only last year I blogged about my god-daughter Hope who had her first proper launch event. After a very busy year, she’s now released an EP album, called “Optimist” – that seems to be gaining some traction and climbing up the singer/songwriter charts.  Now all of 16, her latest track is available on i-tunes. Perhaps one for the Christmas stocking?

Do have a listen, you can buy it for the princely sum of £3.14 on i-tunes.

Here’s the title video, which is dedicated to her late father and my very dear friend, who having suffered from a rare form of cancer (mulitple endocrine neoplasia) eventually died from the injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash in August 2006. You can find her on Jacket Records, a new small label run by Jack Hobbs, who also wrote a song for her “So Much More“.

As you know, I’m not a betting man, but I’d suggest that this is best investment for £3.14 you could make this Christmas and help to get the much needed Optimist on the radar.. what’s more you could order it right now from where you are. Happy Christmas.

Dominic Thomas
Solomons IFA

You can read more articles about Pensions, Wealth Management, Retirement, Investments, Financial Planning and Estate Planning on my blog which gets updated every week. If you would like to talk to me about your personal wealth planning and how we can make you stay wealthier for longer then please get in touch by calling 08000 736 273 or email info@solomonsifa.co.uk

Hopeful Christmas2023-12-01T12:19:42+00:00

Sentimental Fool?

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To The Church

Last night I went to the church, to the Union Chapel in Highbury, according to one Time Out review I saw, one of the best gig venues in London. Having been to the chapel several times before, I can vouch for its internal acoustics and rather splendid stained glass window. Perhaps it’s just me, but the pews aren’t that bad either –more comfortable than in many theatres or cinemas. Anyway, last night was an opportunity to hear Lloyd Cole, who was playing a couple of tracks from his rather good new album “Standards” as well as diving into a nearly 30 year back catalogue that extends from 1984.

Perfect Blue

Many of you will know his classic hits, such as “Perfect Skin”; “Are You Ready to be Heartbroken?”; “Brand New Friend”; “From the Hip” and “Jennifer She Said” when he fronted Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. By 1989 he had begun a solo career releasing 9 albums over 16 years with “Antidepressant” in 2006. Two albums later he “returns” with “Standards”. Now at 52 his latest work seems less melancholic and a more upbeat outlook and sound, though certainly there is something very familiar about “Blue Like Mars”. I’m taken with “Period Piece”.

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Photograph by Philip Seymour

These Days

The solo acoustic performance was a great experience. Lloyd (if I may presume) was very down-to-earth and humble. His own website reinforces a sense of “normality”. Reflecting at points on a long career that he joked was finding its way into obscurity. He also talked of the double edged sword of social media, where engagement with fans can be a mixed blessing. He’s generally not one to be definitive about the meaning of his lyrics, which I believe is appropriate for someone that I would really categorise (if I must) as a poet with a guitar and distinctive sound. He explained that one fan suggested a rather rude double-entendre in one of his songs, which he didn’t spot or mean and now struggles to find a way to sing. A lot has happened since 1984, for me LC and the Commotions was part of my adolescence and a suitable background track. Now we are all much older and not so fresh faced, with many shared life experiences that Lloyd expresses through his lyrics.

Mainstream Afterthought

So what has this got to do with financial planning? nothing. Other than perhaps a reminder that time travel is possible only in our memories and time is fleeting. Perhaps too, that our personal journey sometimes doesn’t work out as expected, for Lloyd the music industry has undergone a revolution due to new technology and record sales are not based on what you have to say or ask, but how much attention you get. So whilst he’s probably no longer “mainstream” there is something unmistakably truthful, genuine and grounding about a good man with a guitar, singing in church…. From one sentimental fool to another.

Be There

Lloyd is performing all of the new tracks from “Standards” on 31st January 2014 (his 53rd birthday and tax payment day) at the Shepherds Bush Empire. I’m hoping to book my tickets shortly, perhaps you will join me too. Oh and yes, the sub-headings are all song tracks.

Dominic Thomas: Solomons IFA

Sentimental Fool?2023-12-01T12:38:28+00:00
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