 |
Dennis Dreith
October 30, 2009
Dear Participant,
Enclosed in your distribution mailing you will find a check drawn on the AFM and AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund account. This distribution represents additional royalties collected in 2004 pursuant to the DPRA (Digital Performance Rights Amendment) and DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), Private Home Taping royalties from 2005 through 2007and certain broadcast money from SENA (Netherlands) for 2002 through 2006. This distribution also includes for some Participants payments for other royalties collected by the Fund for which you may not have been paid in the past (omissions payments).
These payments are the result of agreements negotiated and/or legislative activity by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). The AFM and AFTRA are the major labor organizations representing musicians and singers, respectively.
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, see the Fund website at www.raroyalties.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.
Enclosures: Included within your distribution mailing you will find:
- A check covering your share of royalties detailed above, and if applicable, payments for other royalties collected by the Fund for which you may not have been paid in the past.
- A statement detailing your personal information, which also identifies each recording and each year, for which you are receiving a payment. It also identifies (when applicable) whether the payment is for your performance as a vocalist, a musician, or both.
- A detailed description of the AFM & AFTRA Fund.
- A Beneficiary Designation Form (and instructions) for Performers who have not previously received one.
- An Inquiry Form (with pre-addressed return envelope). You can use the Inquiry Form to change your address, provide additional information to the Fund, or to claim that you are entitled to payment for a recording on the Master List for which you have not been credited. Those of you who have Internet access are strongly encouraged to use the Fund’s website for these purposes.
Please be advised that the enclosed check must be cashed prior to December 31, 2009 otherwise it will become stale dated!
Un-audited Financial Summary
Total Contributions Available for Distribution |
600,799.95 |
Return of Unclaimed Monies |
328,369.14 |
Interest Earned |
28,660.76 |
Operating Expenses |
-45,287.88 |
Omission Reserve |
-28,660.76 |
Net of Expenses & Reserve |
883,881.21 |
A Note from the Administrator: There is almost no way to describe the complexities of making these distributions to thousands of non-featured musicians and vocalists, given the fact that the identity and location of all recipients must be researched by the Fund. Suffice it to say, however, that none of this would be possible without the dedication and professionalism of Fund Manager Jo-Anne McGettrick, and the work of her excellent staff.
Wishing you continued success,

Dennis Dreith
Fund Administrator
Alternate letter formats below...
To save or view the letter in Adobe PDF format <click here>
To save the letter in Microsoft Word* format <click here>
* requires Microsoft Word to view
Need to install Adobe Reader click on the icon below:

|
 |