March 2020 Update: Please note that this transition has been postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19. See here for further details.
Screenrights has announced that we will be transitioning from a 6-year distribution period to a 4-year distribution period for members.
Screenrights’ Constitution has always allowed for a 4-year distribution period, with an additional two years where the Board determines it necessary. With the speed of modern communication, rapid changes in the screen industry, increased online research capabilities, and the streamlining of Screenrights’ internal processes and efficiencies that see over 80% of royalties typically distributed within the first year, the additional two years have been deemed no longer necessary.
Royalties from the 2014, 2015 and 2016 distribution years will close simultaneously on 30 June 2020. A distribution period starts at the end of the financial year in which the royalties were generated. So, for example, royalties from the 2014 distribution period relate to instances of copying, communication or retransmission of programs that occurred between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014.
Members will have until 30 April 2020 to ensure registrations of their programs broadcast prior to July 2016 are in place and up to date in order to receive royalties due from the closing distribution years.
With the Competing Claims Fund coming into effect on 1 July 2019, members will have an additional year to resolve competing claims from the 2013 distribution year onwards.
See below for a visualisation of what this means year by year:
Any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at members@screenrights.org.
