Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What time period does Group I include?

  2. Can I still opt-in to the Group I Program?

  3. Can I still claim entities on the unmatched entities list?

  4. I received a check from the Program, and the check stub states that the check represents a portion of the previously-held reserve. What is the reserve, and what about the balance of the reserve?

  5. I lost my check, how can I get a new one?

  6. Will I be receiving an IRS Form 1099?

  7. How will songwriters get paid?


What time period does Group I include?

Group I includes physical and digital product distributed in the United States of America with a release date in the year 2006 or earlier, regardless of when distributed.

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Can I still opt-in to the Group I Program?

No, the deadline has passed.

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Can I still claim entities on the unmatched entities list?

The deadline for making claims to unmatched entities has passed.

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I received a check from the Program, and the check stub states that the check represents a portion of the previously-held reserve. What is the reserve, and what about the balance of the reserve?

Under the MOU, the Program Administrator is authorized to establish reasonable reserves from the Program. The Program Administrator authorized the release of 99.33% of the Group I funds and will continue to hold 0.67% of the reserve until the he deems it no longer necessary to maintain the reserve.

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I lost my check, how can I get a new one?

If you need to have your check re-issued for any reason, you must contact the Program Administrator in writing at the below address to request a stop payment and/or check re-issue.

The Harry Fox Agency LLC
NMPA Late Fee Program Administrator
c/o GCG
P.O. Box 9465
Dublin, OH 43017-4565

You may also send your request by fax to: 206-876-5201

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Will I be receiving an IRS Form 1099?

Yes. An IRS Form 1099 will be sent to you for monies received as part of this Program. Please retain IRS Form 1099s for tax reporting purposes. The tax treatment of all payments is your responsibility. The Program Administrator cannot provide individual tax advice. Accordingly, we suggest that you consult your tax advisor if you are uncertain about the tax treatment of these payments.

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How will songwriters get paid?

By definition, the funds that were the subject of this settlement were not categorized by song title. Instead, this settlement involved an agreement by all who choose to participate to distribute these funds using a publisher share analysis conducted by the Program Administrator, The Harry Fox Agency LLC (using payment data provided by the Record Labels). It is anticipated that many publishers distributed these funds to their songwriter partners using a distribution formula these publishers develop that takes into account each publisher's unique issues involving songwriters whose works it controlled during the relevant period of the settlement. The publisher share analysis used by the Program Administrator to allocate the settlement proceeds is not intended to be a formula used by any particular publisher to allocate such funds among its songwriter partners. Songwriters whose songs were not properly licensed would not be recognized in any publisher share analysis.

The Program Administrator, HFA, and NMPA will not dictate or provide guidance as to how publishers should distribute the settlement proceeds allocated to each publisher. Furthermore, the Program Administrator has not been authorized to address, nor will he respond to, questions relating to how songwriters get paid. We suggest songwriters contact their publishers directly for guidance.

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Please Note the Following Important Dates:
DateEvent
September 2010-
October 2010
Group I Initial Distribution
December 31, 2012
[Expired]
MOU Termination Date