Over the past week the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and members of the California Legislature, including the bill's author Senator Kevin Murray, have been engaged in intense negotiations to hammer out a compromise version of SB 1034, the "Recording Industry Accounting Practices Act." The amended compromise bill that has emerged would provide recording artists under royalty contracts the statutory right to confirm, through audits, proper payment for their work, and conduct such audits - or have such audits conducted by their chosen representatives - individually or in groups. The bill would also codify the ability to hire auditors on a contingency fee basis, which, combined with the ability to audit in groups, should increase the probability that artists will actually pursue audits.
The bill will now return to the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee for a vote on June 15 and then will be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee before going to the full Assembly for a vote. The Senate passed an earlier version of the bill last year.
"This legislation represents a necessary and fundamental first step in addressing the long-standing conflict between record companies and recording artists regarding accounting practices. Assuming passage, AFTRA intends to build on this initial success by implementing systems to assist artists in accessing this new statutory right and finding and claiming every penny that is due them. We will be monitoring this area carefully to ensure that the core intent of this bill is fully realized," stated AFTRA National President John Connolly.
On Tuesday, Connolly along with other artists and prominent industry figures, including former head of Columbia/Sony Records, Walter Yetnikoff, testified before the California Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee in support of legislative relief.
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