The AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement Explained: What You Need to Know

As a musician or recording artist, it`s important to understand the various agreements and contracts that govern the music industry. One such agreement is the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) Sound Recording Agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions for performers who work on recordings.

In this article, we`ll take a closer look at the AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement and what it means for recording artists.

What is the AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement?

The AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement is a contract that governs the rights and obligations of performers who work on sound recordings. It covers a wide range of issues, including compensation, royalties, and ownership of recordings.

For performers, the AFTRA Agreement outlines the minimum terms and conditions they can expect when working on a recording. This includes payment for their services, as well as the right to receive royalties for use of the recording.

Who is covered by the AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement?

The AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement covers a wide range of performers, including singers, musicians, and voice actors. It applies to both union and non-union performers who work on sound recordings that are released for sale or distribution.

Some of the specific conditions covered by the AFTRA Agreement include:

– Payment for services: Performers are entitled to payment for their services, which must be negotiated and agreed upon before the recording takes place.

– Royalties: Performers are entitled to receive royalties for the use of their performance on a recording. This includes both mechanical royalties (paid for the use of the recording itself) and performance royalties (paid for the use of the recording in public performances).

– Ownership of recordings: The AFTRA Agreement outlines the ownership rights of performers and record labels in the recordings they work on. In general, performers own the rights to their performances, while record labels own the rights to the recordings themselves.

What are the benefits of the AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement?

The AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement provides a number of benefits for performers who work on sound recordings. Some of the key benefits include:

– Guaranteed payment: By negotiating and agreeing upon payment terms before the recording takes place, performers can be certain that they will be compensated for their services.

– Royalties: The AFTRA Agreement ensures that performers receive a fair share of the revenue generated by their performances on recordings.

– Protection of ownership rights: Performers are guaranteed ownership rights over their performances, which helps to ensure that they are credited and compensated appropriately.

Conclusion

If you`re a musician or recording artist, it`s essential to understand the various agreements and contracts that govern the music industry. The AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement is an important contract that outlines the rights and obligations of performers who work on sound recordings.

By understanding the terms and conditions of the AFTRA Agreement, performers can ensure that they are compensated fairly for their services, and that their ownership rights are protected. So if you`re planning to work on a sound recording, be sure to familiarize yourself with the terms of the AFTRA Sound Recording Agreement.