SoundExchange together with AFM, SAG-AFTRA and The Fund Announce Four New Reciprocal Agreements with Artist Societies Worldwide

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SoundExchange announced today, in conjunction with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) and The AFM and AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund ("The AFM and AFTRA Fund"), that the organizations have signed four multilateral reciprocal agreements for collection of sound recordings royalties with Cyprus (ASTERAS), Germany (GVL), Japan (CPRA/Geidankyo) and Sweden (SAMI) foreign artist societies.

SoundExchange is now able to collect digital performance royalties on behalf of its featured recording artist members and both unions. The agreements also allow for The AFM and AFTRA Fund to collect digital royalties for non-featured artists from the four territories.

These agreements are part of SoundExchange's comprehensive, proactive global effort to maximize foreign royalties for its members. This announcement follows on the organization's recent initiative to no longer deduct an administrative rate for royalties collected from foreign societies. The signing of these agreements demonstrates the continued dedication of SoundExchange, AFM and SAG-AFTRA to obtain foreign royalties on behalf of American recording artists for sound recordings performed through digital radio worldwide.

The collection of international royalties is one of the many benefits available to anyone that registers and becomes a member with SoundExchange. For more information on SoundExchange's international efforts or to become a member, visit www.soundexchange.com.

About SoundExchange
SoundExchange is the non-profit performance rights organization that represents the entire recorded music industry. The organization collects statutory royalties from satellite radio, internet radio, cable TV music channels and other services that stream sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board, created by Congress, has entrusted SoundExchange as the only entity in the United States to collect and distribute these digital performance royalties for featured recording artists and master rights owners. SoundExchange has paid out more than $1 billion in royalties since its inception. For more information, visit www.SoundExchange.com and www.facebook.com/soundexchange.

About AFM
Every day the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada helps thousands of musicians just like you. We are the largest organization in the world representing the interests of professional musicians. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying our legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape. Visit http://www.afm.org/ for more information.

About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents more than 165,000 recording artists, singers, DJs, voiceover artists, actors, announcers, broadcasters, journalists, dancers, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, stunt performers and other media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.

About The AFM and AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund
The AFM and AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund is a joint project of the two unions, formed for the purpose of distributing these and similar royalties to non-featured performers. The Fund distributes royalties to thousands of singers and musicians who have performed on a recording(s) entitled to a distribution. For more information, visit www.raroyalties.org. For more information, visit www.raroyalties.org.

SOURCE SoundExchange