SAMRO distributes R33m in digital royalties

The distribution seeks to underscore SAMRO’s continued commitment to ensuring that its members are properly compensated for the use of their musical works by digital service providers (DSPs) as well as video-on-demand (VoD) and user-generated content platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Netflix and TikTok.

The collective management organisation (CMO) says it has scheduled another distribution for June 2024. “For SAMRO, every distribution of royalties is aimed at maximising earnings for our members, ensuring fair compensation for their musical works and ultimately enhancing their livelihoods,” it said.

In 2021, SAMRO inducted the collection of royalties from digital platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Netflix. This strategic advancement, made possible by licensing agreements, marked a fundamental step towards adapting SAMRO's licensing and royalty payment practices to the changing dynamics of the global digital landscape.

“We acknowledged the challenges posed by unregistered music creators and unnotified musical works, which have hindered the accurate distribution of royalties in the past,” SAMRO said. “In response to these challenges, we implemented operational tactics that leverage data from DSPs, VoD’s and tools such as auto-copyright tools and CIS-Net.

“These methods have significantly improved the accuracy and speed of royalty distribution, reducing the need for manual involvement and speeding up the paperwork process. The positive results of this implementation are evident in the MIT [Mobile and Internet Transmission] category’s remarkable distribution.”

SAMRO says it has improved its rate of identification of works through better research and documentation, which now averages 98%. This improvement has resulted in more successful royalty payments to its members, including authors, composers and publishers whose music is featured on digital platforms.

The CMO said it remained steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the rights of music creators and that it would continue to find new ways to adapt to the constantly changing digital environment.

“This landmark distribution is not just an achievement; it's a promise for the future. It sets a new benchmark for upcoming efforts in royalty distribution, ensuring a future where musicians receive fair compensation for their creative work,” SAMRO said.