In the music industry, the work of session musicians and background vocalists plays a pivotal role in shaping sound recordings. Yet, these non-featured performers, who don’t receive primary billing or public recognition, often face challenges in receiving fair compensation. The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, also known as “The Fund,” helps to ensure that a great deal these artists are acknowledged and paid for their invaluable contributions.
An Overview of the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund
The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund was established by government statute under U.S. Copyright Law. Initially formed by a joint effort between the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) now (SAG-AFTRA), The Fund is an independent organization whose primary mission is to collect and distribute royalties for non-featured performers. By distributing royalties from sources that are included under U.S. Copyright Law for satellite radio, non-interactive streaming services and agreements with international collecting societies, The Fund provides these artists with compensation for their work on sound recordings and media.
Who The Fund Serves: The Vital Role of Non-Featured Performers
Unlike artists who receive top billing, non-featured performers include session musicians and background singers. These artists contribute to the final production, adding depth and quality to recordings that wouldn’t be the same without them. The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund’s focus is to ensure that these performers are not overlooked and that they receive royalties from recordings covered by The Fund on which they’ve worked.
Revenue Streams: The Fund’s Broad Collection Scope
The Fund collects royalties from a variety of sources, such as U.S. copyright-protected recordings, neighboring rights from international societies, and other royalty streams. This wide scope of collections ensures that many non-featured performers can receive income from platforms beyond the U.S. market, including royalties generated for music performed in movies and television programs abroad.
Title-Driven Royalty Distribution
The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund operates on a title-driven basis, meaning that royalties are distributed according to specific sound recordings or media titles. Non-featured performers are compensated based on the specific tracks or programs they contributed to, with royalties calculated according to the success and frequency of each work’s usage. Eligible performers can search for covered titles on The Fund’s website to verify if royalties are available for claim.
Global Reach and Neighboring Rights
The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund also has a significant focus on neighboring rights, which are royalties earned when a recording is played internationally. Through partnerships with international collecting societies, The Fund ensures that non-featured performers are compensated when their work reaches audiences outside the United States. This global reach is essential for those who participate in recordings that are distributed worldwide, as it expands their income opportunities.
Why The Fund’s Role is Crucial for the Music Industry
Non-featured performers may not have the same level of public recognition as featured artists, but their contributions are equally essential to the quality and success of a recording. The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund fills a vital gap in the royalty distribution system, making sure these artists are fairly paid for their work. In an industry where many non-featured performers work as freelancers, often without long-term contracts, this royalty income is crucial to supporting their careers.
Conclusion
The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Fund plays a vital role in ensuring that non-featured performers receive the recognition and compensation they deserve. By distributing royalties across various platforms and markets, The Fund provides session musicians and background singers with a fair share of the revenue their contributions generate. In a constantly evolving industry, the work of The Fund is essential to maintaining equity for all those who bring music to life, ensuring that the dedication and skill of non-featured performers are both respected and rewarded.
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