CAPASSO distributes $1.6m amid COVID-19 crisis

The distributions, which commenced in March, comprise digital, broadcast, transactional and phono-mechanical royalties. In addition, the collective management organisation (CMO) also approved further interventions aimed at alleviating the impact of COVID-19 on its members. In line with this, CAPASSO is overseeing additional distributions between April and June.

In a note sent to its members, CAPASSO CEO Jotam Matariro encouraged members to visit the CMO’s website and asked them to prioritise their metadata during lockdown to enable the collections of all royalties due to them.

“CAPASSO understands that the pulse of the country and the entire world beats as one in order to overcome COVID-19 and its devastating impact around the globe,” Matariro said. “As we all watch the news unfold about this unprecedented event, it’s clear that there is a need to assist and bolster members whose other part of the business has been brought to a complete halt.

“To that end, we have lined up a number of digital distributions between April and June 2020. In order to get maximum benefit, we ask that you ensure that you visit our website and submit your notification of works form so as to enable us to do the rest.”

Matariro said the lockdown resulted in a number of stakeholders not paying the royalties, but said his “team has continued to do the best they can to make sure the business continues as much as it can and are waiting for your works notifications in preparation for the upcoming distribution.”

Commenting on CAPASSO’s future, Matariro said the CMO was committed to continue operating remotely during lockdown and keep its members up to date with distributions.