What is DPR and where does the money come from?

These are payments that were created from the enactment of the DPRA (Digital Performance Rights Amendment) and DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act). These acts require the allocation of 5% of compulsory license fees to non-featured performers, 2 1/2 % to non-featured musicians, and 2 1/2% to non-featured vocalists collected from various digital distributions of sound recordings.

Payments to the DPR are for the non-featured performers share of the compulsory license fees collected from the cable and satellite subscription services, as well as from revenue from the statutory rates collected for webcasting.

When did the DPR begin and what years will be covered by the payments?

The AFM & AFTRA Fund began collecting money as a result of the act in 2001, which covered payments for 1996 through 2000. The Fund has received money each year since then.

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 DPR distribution with other Fund activities, such as the AHRA and Japanese rental remuneration distributions, we have been able to begin these distributions to the qualified non-featured performers.

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).

What determines which sound recordings are selected for royalty distribution?

See Distribution Guidelines for a complete explanation.

How are the individual royalty payments calculated?

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 DPR royalties.

Does the Fund then make payments only as a result of union sessions?

No, union and non-union projects will be treated equally.

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.

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.

What if I was on a recording, but have been left out of a royalty disbursal for a particular album?

Simply contact the Fund via the online inquiry 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).

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.

What if my name is listed on the credits on the Web Site, but I didn't receive a check?

There could be a variety of reasons that despite your performance on a particular sound recording you still did not receive a payment. The most likely cause would be that we might not have your address or social security number. If you move or want to be sure we have the most current information for you, you can email a change of address form.

I am credited on an album that is listed as a "covered sound recording," but did not receive a payment for this record.

The monies received for digital downloads represent individual tracks. Our webpage lists sound recording album titles. In some instances, we could not discern which participant performed on which track, however in others we were able to identify each track by participant. If you see a DPR album title and you are not included, please contact us via an inquiry form so that we may further research the situation.