SAMRO launches new platform for unclaimed royalties

The move follows a campaign in April 2021, when SAMRO contacted thousands of members directly and through TransUnion to request they update their banking information. A list of affected members was also published on the organisation’s website.

The programme has resulted in over R15m in royalties being paid out to members who were successfully traced in the first part of the initiative. The new platform is accessible through SAMRO website and is designed to ensure that royalties are distributed to members effortlessly and timeously.

“We are happy to announce that this new system will streamline the pay-out process which means that once members have successfully updated their banking details on the platform, their royalties will be efficiently transferred,” SAMRO chief operations officer Mpho Mofikoe said.

In spite of attempts to pay royalties to its members, SAMRO says that some payments bounced due to outdated banking details. According to Mofikoe, when a SAMRO member earns a significant amount of royalties, it is sufficient to generate a purchase order. The purchase order then sits on the member's account until a designated payment interval allows the amount to be released.

“So, while SAMRO had the money, it couldn’t pay it over as the bank account details furnished by the affected members were outdated, or incorrect in one form or another,” she said. “When payment is made, it simply bounces back and future payments are subsequently stopped until the member details are corrected or updated.”

Beneficiaries of the unclaimed royalties project

The main beneficiaries of the project who were successfully paid included 76% of authors and composers, 14% publishers, 10% heirs and testators.

Rapper and television personality, Nadia Nakai is among the beneficiaries of the process, stating that she found her engagements with SAMRO to be pleasant and efficient. 

“I had a really good experience, as a matter of fact, they reached out me to ensure that my banking details were updated so I could receive my pay-out.” Nakai said.

Another SAMRO member Nalize van Niekerk said she found the process seamless and very quick. “After I updated my banking details, I called to check if they had received them. They confirmed on the same day that my details were updated and I received my pay-out shortly after that. I was very impressed.”

How members can check if they have unclaimed royalties

Members can check if they have unclaimed royalties here and go through a two-way verification process. Once verified, they can update their banking details to complete the process. Upon completion and once details have been uploaded, members will receive their pay-out within 14 working days.

Mofikoe concluded: “The platform is designed to ensure that members are compensated for their work, and we will continue to intensify our efforts to ensure that all members receive what is due to them by simplifying the process of updating banking details to receive unclaimed royalties.”