"John Smith is obviously offering a better deal than the legal 'theft' by a Morris Levy."

Exactly, Donuel, and to me this indicates weakness, or at least need. It sounds like a pre-emptive offer designed to sweep the competition off the board immediately, rather than a first pass in a negotiation. What's he worried about? Including the information that the song title will be the album title as well strikes me as poor tactics, suggesting that the song author--with his lawyer--may well be able to carve out something satisfactory to both parties.

Of course I'm just making this all up.