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 RARoyalties.org, brought to you by AFM & AFTRA Fund
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 When did the Fund begin? How often are the distributions made? Who actually distributes these payments? How are the individual royalty payments calculated? What constitutes a "covered" sound recording? Does the Fund then make payments only as a result of union sessions? How is participation on a particular album 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 sound recording title on my statement but don't see it on the list of "covered" sound recordings? What if I was on 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 Web Site, but I didn't receive a check?
 Where do the royalty payments come from?In Japan, there are numerous outlets that rent CDs as well as sell them. When these CDs are rented in Japan, GEIDANKYO (The Center for Performers Rights Administration) collects a royalty for featured and non-featured performers based on revenue generated by the top 100 albums/singles rented in each 6-month period. AARC (Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies)-on behalf of featured performers (i.e. recording artists), AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)-on behalf of non-featured vocalists, and the AFM (American Federation of Musicians)-on behalf of non-featured musicians (including music preparation personnel) collectively negotiated an agreement recently with GEIDANKYO for the disbursal in the US of the royalties collected in Japan for US produced recordings. Top
When did the Fund begin?The first monies received are for records having been rented in Japan beginning in 1996. Top
How often are the distributions made?Annually & generally in the 4th quarter. Top
Who actually distributes these payments?AARC (Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies) is responsible for making the payments to featured artists. (AARC was created by RIAA is a separate organization). AFTRA and the AFM have appointed the AFM & AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund ("Fund") as the Administrator to make payments to non-featured musicians, music preparation personnel and vocalists. If you are a featured artist and you would like to inquire about the status of Geidankyo royalties that may be due you, please contact AARC. Top
How are the individual royalty payments calculated?Each individual non-featured performer (instrumental musicians, music preparation personnel and vocalists alike) receives a single credit for each album they perform on regardless of the number of cuts or parts performed on a particular album. Then, the amount received for each album (less administrative expenses) is divided by the number of non-featured performers to establish each individual’s pro-rata share of the royalties from GEIDANKYO. Top
What constitutes a "covered" sound recording?Any sound recording identified as having sufficient rental credits in Japan that is either produced by a U.S. record company, has a featured artist who is a member of AARC (Alliance of Artists and Record Companies) or contains a performance of a non-featured musician or vocalist who is a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) or American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) respectively. Top
Does the Fund then make payments only as a result of union sessions?No, union and non-union projects are treated equally. Top
How is participation on a particular album 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 I see a sound recording title on my statement but don't see it on the list of "covered" sound recordings?This is because the distributions for that sound recording have been completed and have been replaced with titles for subsequent years. Top
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 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
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 album or single you still did not receive a payment. The most typical of these could be: 1. The payment due you is less than $10 (which is defined as a de-minimus amount under our agreement), and therefore will be held in reserve until such time as your royalty payments exceed that amount. 2. We may 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 send email to jmcgettrick@raroyalties.org Top |
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