Harmony Gold has not only ripped me off for 30 years... but now they want me to drive there and pick up my own check! For $85!!

So, I was sitting around the other day and I was thinking that I had not received a royalty check from Harmony Gold for Robotech since 2011.  Which was the first royalty check I'd gotten from HG ever.  I wouldn't even have gotten that if it weren't for the tireless efforts of Vivian Lanza!

So, I thought I would share my latest correspondence with Harmony Gold.

I sent this email to HG attorney, Christy Duran (and CC'd Tommy Yune):


On May 19, 2016, at 4:01 AM, Michael Bradley wrote: 

Dear Christy,  

Still waiting for latest royalties from 25th and 30th Anniversary CDs sold by HG. 
Songwriting, producing and artist royalties.   

Michael Bradley
xxxxx xxxx
Woodland Hills, CA xxxxx 


No response from the attorney, but Yune wrote:

On May 19, 2016, at 1:39 PM,  wrote: 

Hello Michael, I hope you're doing well and thanks for bringing this to our attention. 

The 25th anniversary EPs were Macross Saga and Southern Cross-themed releases that did not contain any tracks composed by you.  However, we do have numbers coming in for the 30th anniversary soundtrack which had been released more recently -- we're working on this and will get back to you right away with an updated statement. 

Best regards, 

Tommy Yune 

Harmony Gold USA 
7655 W. Sunset Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA 90046 
323-851-4900


Then, on August 3, 2016, Tommy Yune wrote:

Hello Michael, 

It turns out the last royalty payment had been mistakenly mailed to your previous address.  We'd like to apologize and let you know that we've cut a new check that Billy Davis, our Executive Vice President, would like to present to you in person.  Please let us know how we can arrange to make this happen at your convenience. 

Best regards, 
Tommy


So, this is my response to Tommy Yune and Harmony Gold:

Dear Tommy Yune,   

I think you're forgetting the years of unreported and unpaid royalties which co-writer/co-producer Steve Wittmack and I have earned, and which Harmony Gold has not only kept for itself, but even worse, denied responsibility for having taken money which signed contracts state that we are entitled to receive.  How do you reason that Steve Wittmack or I could have a cordial relationship with Harmony Gold under the circumstances? 

We created something of enduring value; music which millions of fans loved then, and still love now.  Our contributions helped make millions of dollars for Harmony Gold.  In return, have been treated with contempt. 

I would hope HG will ALSO pay the 'artist' royalties (to me) and the 'producer' royalties (to Steve and myself)... which Harmony Gold has NEVER paid.  They have only paid writer's royalties (thanks to the hard work of our advocate, VIVIAN LANZA)… in the grand total (after 30 years) of $441.10 (split between two writers). How can you get away with ignoring this... which is clearly stated in the contracts?   

I would also like to point out the fact that I have independently promoted the Robotech franchise by various appearances at Robotech events in the U.S. and my seven appearances in three different countries in South America (thanks to the South American fans).  And I have not been invited to participate at any U.S. conventions in the past 10 years… even though Harmony Gold was there promoting products that included MY work. 

There is so much more I want to add... like this email that I just received from a fan today: 

Message: 

Hello everybody. Thanks a lot to you. I recently get my Lonely Soldier Boy CD copy and I am very happy. I just listen it and the music is all full of magic. Thank you very much to all of you and very special thanks to Michael Bradley to give us, all Robotech fans, a great and wonderful music CD. 
 

That was referring to my 2006 self-produced CD this fan ordered from my website.  The one where HG made me pay for a license from the Harry Fox Agency... and I actually had to badger HG into paying me and Steve (and the other writers) our writer's royalties (which was basically fronted to them from me). I'm pretty sure HG only paid Wittmack and myself (they just ignored the others... Ulpio Minucci, Arlon Ober, Randal Rummage and Marcia Woods). By the way, this is the self-produced CD that HG would not allow me to use 'ROBOTECH' on the cover!   

I don't know Billy Davis, but I assume he's is a nice person.  It's unlikely that he had anything to do with Harmony Gold's policies over the last 30 years.  Surely with your longstanding knowledge, you could have informed him of the abuse Steve and I have sustained all these years, compliments of Harmony Gold.  Only someone who is completely oblivious (or understandably unaware of their employer's past behavior) would suggest turning the delivery of a delinquent and inadequate payment into an auspicious occasion.   

I would therefore be grateful if you would simply mail this and all future royalty statements and payments to me at the correct mailing address when they are due.  I'm guessing Steve Wittmack would be grateful as well. 

Michael Bradley

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