Questions

Why was The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund established?

The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund was formed for the purpose of distributing royalties from various foreign territories and royalties established by government statute under U.S. Copyright Law.

Where do these royalties come from?

In the U.S., payments stem from statutory royalties pursuant various government regulations including the Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA), Digital Performance Rights in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 (DPRA) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA). In addition, the Fund (in cooperation with SAG-AFTRA & the AFM) has negotiated numerous agreements (often in partnership with AARC or Sound Exchange) with foreign collectives throughout Europe and in Japan for the payment of Private Copy levies, record rental remuneration, certain broadcast royalties, and Audiovisual Royalties in Spain. See the “About Us” page for a current list of collectives and countries where the Fund has agreements.

Who are the specific performers who receive royalties that are handled by the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund?

The Fund distributes money to the following categories of performers:

• non-featured vocalists and non-featured musicians performing on covered sound recordings in the U.S. and on U.S. covered sound recordings subject to royalties in the various foreign territories where the Fund has an agreement;
• U.S. non-featured performers on foreign recordings subject to royalties in territories where the Fund has agreements.
• U.S. Symphonic, Ballet, and Opera musicians and vocalists
• AFM and SAG-AFTRA featured and non-featured performers performing on motion pictures and television programs (regardless of where they are scored) broadcast on Spanish television or exhibited in Spanish theaters. This also includes sound recordings licensed for use in such motion pictures and television programs.

Are there any other projected sources of revenue?

The Fund is constantly in the process of negotiating additional Sound Recording and Audiovisual agreements in Europe, Asia and South America. In addition, the Fund is actively engaged in partnership with the AFM and SAG-AFTRA, as well as other U.S. rights organizations to expand Performers Rights legislation in the U.S.

Are these royalties paid only to union members?

The Sound Recording Division distributes U.S. statutory royalties to entitled vocalists and musicians without regard to union membership. However, some foreign royalties, including audiovisual royalties in Spain pursuant to the rules and regulations of those territories do require that payments may be made only on the basis on membership in the AFM and/or SAG-AFTRA.

When are royalty distributions made?

• The Sound Recording Division distribution is made annually at the end of April.
• The Audiovisual Division distribution is made annually at the end of September
• The Symphonic distribution is made annually at the end of April.

What if I suspect that I am left out of a distribution?

Each division of the Fund has a separate section of the webpage with a list of covered recording or films as applicable where you can check to see the full list of credits on each of those titles. If you find something on any of those lists that you are not credited on you can fill out an inquiry/omissions form and submit it online.