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 RARoyalties.org, brought to you by AFM & AFTRA Fund
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 When did the AHRA begin and what years will be covered by the payments? Why have there been no distributions before now, and when can we expect payments? Are royalties for musicians and vocalists treated the same? What determines which sound recordings are selected for royalty distribution? How are the individual royalty payments calculated for those sound recordings selected for distribution? Does the Fund then make payments only as a result of union sessions? How is participation on a particular sound recording determined? If I find my name on one recording, how can I find out what other recordings I have been included on? What If I see a recording, but have been left out of a royalty disbursal for a particular album? What if I received a check but didn't perform on the album / single? What if my name is listed on the credits on the website, but I didn't receive a check? Why are there different numbers of covered sound recordings for musicians and vocalists, and why does this most often result in more sound recordings being distributed to vocalists than musicians?
 What is AHRA and where does the money come from?These are payments that were created from the enactment of the Audio Home Recording Act (AHRA) by the US Congress. The AHRA imposes an obligation on importers and manufacturers of digital audio recording devices and media to submit a royalty payment set by statute to the Register of Copyrights. The AHRA provides that 66 2/3% of those royalties shall be allocated to a Sound Recordings Fund. The Act further provides that 2 5/8 % of the Sound Recordings Fund shall be placed in an escrow account managed by an Independent Administrator appointed by the AFM, and the record companies, to be distributed to non-featured musicians who have performed on sound recordings distributed in the United States, and that 1 3/8 % shall be similarly placed in an escrow account managed by an Independent Administrator appointed by AFTRA, and the record companies and distributed to non-featured vocalists. Top
When did the AHRA begin and what years will be covered by the payments?The AFM & AFTRA Fund began collecting money as a result of the act in 1994, which covered payments for 1992 & 1993. The Fund has received money each year since then. Top
Why have there been no distributions before now, and when can we expect payments?The initial amounts generated from this act were quite small and presented numerous distribution challenges. These amounts, however, have increased, and by combining of the AHRA distribution with other Fund activities, the first distribution to qualified non-featured performers will be accomplished imminently. Top
Are royalties for musicians and vocalists treated the same?No, there are actually two discreet pools of money. One for musicians, and another for vocalists. Therefore, while the distribution formula is the same, there are some circumstances where vocalists could receive a royalty for an album that musicians don't and vice e versa (see Distribution Guidelines for more information). Top
What determines which sound recordings are selected for royalty distribution?See Distribution Guidelines for a complete explanation. Top
How are the individual royalty payments calculated for those sound recordings selected for distribution?There are discreet Funds. Each individual non-featured performer eligible for a distribution from the applicable Fund (instrumental musicians, music preparation personnel and vocalists alike) receives a single credit in that Fund for each sound recording they perform on regardless of the number of cuts or parts performed on a particular sound recording. Then, the amount received for each sound recording (less administrative expenses) is divided by the number of non-featured performers to establish each individual's pro-rata share of the AHRA royalties. Top
Does the Fund then make payments only as a result of union sessions?No, union and non-union projects will be treated equally. Top
How is participation on a particular sound recording determined?The Fund staff conducts extensive research examining union contracts, and other documentation available such as Web sites, CD jackets, and direct contact with record companies to determine the identity of the participating non-featured performers. Top
If I find my name on one recording, how can I find out what other recordings I have been included on?Double click your name and all the other recordings we have found you for will appear. Top
What If was on a recording, but have been left out of a royalty disbursal for a perticular album?Simply contact the Fund via the online form, and request additional research on your behalf. It is important to include all pertinent information such as song(s) you worked on, session dates, studio location, etc. Supporting documentation such as pay stubs, session contracts, or even affidavits from other non-featured performers and others such as record producers and engineers who were also involved in the recording in question will be most helpful. The Fund will then promptly investigate your claim. If your participation can be verified, then the same pro-rata payment made to the other non-featured performers will also be made to you from the reserves held back for omissions (see Distribution Guidelines for more information). Top
What if I received a check but didn't perform on the album / single?If for one reason or another (i.e. you have the same or similar name to someone who did actually perform on the album) you received a check but did not perform on any album/single listed, please notify the Fund. It will not be necessary to return the check; we will simply void it and send you a notification verifying that action. Top
Why are there different numbers of covered sound recordings for musicians and vocalists, and why does this most oftern result in more sound recordings being distributed to vocalists than musicians?While there is approximately a 2 to 1 ratio in the amount of money collected for musicians as there is vocalists, there is often 3 to 4 times (or more) as many musicians on a project as there are vocalists. Quite simply, this allows the Fund to distribute to a larger number of recordings for vocalists in some years than musicians. Top |
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