SYMSymphonic Royalties

Dear Participant,

Enclosed you will find a check drawn on the AFM and SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund account.  This is a distribution from the Sound Recording Division for Non-featured artist royalties and/or Featured artist royalties from the Symphonic Division of the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund.  The non-featured payments represent previously undistributed foreign royalties from 2009 –2014 as well U.S. royalties from 2013-2015, and new royalties from 2016 pursuant to the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act (DPRA), the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and the Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA covering years 2012 and 2013).

Symphonic performers receiving the enclosed check are receiving payment as a result of royalties collected for the transmission of symphonic recordings in the United States and abroad.  These payments are a unique form of royalties collected pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in the U.S. and agreements negotiated with foreign collectives that cover performance rights for sound recordings licensed for use on cable satellite and digital media.

If you are receiving a payment, it means that you performed on one or more recordings that were broadcast in the aforementioned markets.

The refinement of the Fund website has resulted in many new features that we believe you will find useful such as private area access, where you will be able to view and print current and past statements and also manage other personal information.  Please visit www.afmsagaftrafund.org today to sign up for Private Area Access and Direct Deposit (if you haven’t already done so). The Direct Deposit option will ensure receipt of royalty payments in a timely and secure manner, and also minimize the possibility of lost checks. Plus, it is good for the environment!

Enclosures included with this mailing are:

1. A check covering your share of royalties detailed above;
2. A statement detailing your personal information, which also identifies each recording for which you are receiving a payment, and (when applicable) whether the payment is for your performance as a vocalist, a musician or both;
3. Informational Flyer on Online Access, Direct Deposit, Go Paperless, and more

 

Please be advised that the enclosed check must be cashed prior to
July 28, 2017, otherwise it will become stale dated!

 

Un-audited Financial Summary Symphonic Featured Artists

	2017	2016
Total Contributions Available for Distribution	$246,717	$145,038
Interest Earned	51	30
Less: Operating Expenses	-41,687	-18,708
Less: Omission Reserve	-51	-30
Net of Expenses & Reserve	$205,030	$126,330

Distribution Guidelines and Other Information:  The Fund distributes royalties from several different sources (both U.S. and foreign), each in accordance with separate guidelines designed to meet the statutory or other requirements for each distribution.  For detailed information about the appropriate Distribution Guidelines, please visit us at www.afmsagaftrafund.org.  The website also contains a searchable Master List of covered sound recordings, answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and other important information.  If you do not have Internet access, the Fund will provide the Master List and Distribution Guidelines upon request.

As previously mentioned, the Fund has continued to refine our system which, is based on single sound recordings as opposed to albums. This is more accurate and is consistent with the procedures of Sound Exchange and the foreign collectives.  We have continued to negotiate additional agreements with numerous foreign collectives, and have been working closely with Sound Exchange and AARC to streamline international claiming and collecting procedures.

We are continuing to increase staff and services to meet the demands of new agreements and additional royalty payments, such as the ongoing efforts to pass the Fair Play, Fair Pay Act of 2015 which would provide royalties derived from airplay on AM/FM radio in the United States and increase reciprocal payments from abroad.  For more information and to show you support, please visit http://musicfirstcoalition.org/fairplay_for_fairpay.

Questions about this distribution should be directed to Colin Gilbert, Participant Services Manager (cgilbert@afmsagaftrafund.org), at 818-255-7980, Ext. 411

We would like to point out that these distributions are enormously complex given that the identity and location of thousands of musicians and vocalists must be researched. Suffice it to say that none of this would be possible without the dedication and professionalism of our exceptional and hard-working Fund team.

Wishing you continued success