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Definitions

These terms appear in the AFM Recording Agreement Primer. For further questions, contact us.

Signatory: An employer that is bound by the terms of an AFM Recording Agreement.

Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA): The industry standard recording agreement negotiated between representatives of the AFM and the major record labels. A copy of the full Agreement is available here.

Sound Recording Single Project Short Form: A form used by non-signatory individuals or entities that provides for the production of a single recording project while incorporating the full terms of the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA).
Single Project Short Forms: U.S. | Canada

Service for hire: (aka Work for Hire) A recorded musical service where the employer retains all rights to the exploitation of the music produced as a result of the recording session(s).

Sound Recording Special Payments Fund: Signatory record companies are required to contribute a percentage of their revenues on record sales into a fund for distribution to musicians in the form of residual payments. These payments will continue for five years after the initial date of an AFM recording session. More info is available at the Fund's website, www.sound-recording.org.

New Use Payments: Participating musicians receive additional wages and Pension benefits when the product is used for purposes other than originally intended. EXAMPLE: When a recording produced for the purposes of selling CD's and/or Digital Downloads is used as the music in a Commercial Jingle.