AFTRA Union Demands Money For Artists From $105M LimeWire Settlement

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO – a national union of more than 70,000 professional recording artists, performers and broadcasters – praised the recent $105 million copyright infringement settlement against LimeWire, and said it will fight to make sure that the labels pay all artists fairly. “AFTRA is moving quickly and aggressively to ensure that the settlement monies are apportioned fairly and disbursed timely to ensure that all artists, including AFTRA members get their rightful share,” according to said Randall Himes, AFTRA's Assistant National Executive Director for Sound Recordings.

Three of the four major labels – Warner Music Group, EMI and Universal Music, told Hypebot last week that they would be sharing some portion of the LimeWire settlement with the artists signed to their labels.  Sony did not reply to an inquiry and none of the label offered specifics.

AFTRA is also preparing to renegotiate the AFTRA Sound Recordings Code – the Union’s second largest national contract – which expires on Dec. 31, 2011. The code covers all recordings from CD's to digital downloads and audiobooks. The Code provides minimum terms and conditions – if the artist is working for a label or other entity that has a contract with the union – including health and retirement benefits. Negotiations with the major record labels are scheduled to begin in August.