MOU 2 Overview

On November 10, 2009, the National Music Publishers’ Association (“NMPA”) and The Harry Fox Agency LLC (“HFA”) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) with the Recording Industry Association of America. In April 2012, the parties to the MOU agreed to extend similar arrangements through at least 2017 (“MOU 2”). MOU 2 creates a comprehensive program (“NMPA Late Fee Program” or “Late Fee Program”), whereby the Record Companies and music publishers will work together to improve mechanical licensing practices and encourage prompt dispute resolution. In exchange for waivers of certain late fees, the Record Companies must comply with the provisions of MOU 2, including paying participating music publishers and foreign societies their respective market shares of accrued pending and unmatched royalties (“P&U Royalties”).

For more details, please consult the NMPA Late Fee Program Overview or the Frequently Asked Questions on this website.

Who Is Eligible to Participate in the MOU 2 NMPA Late Fee Program?

Group IV of the Late Fee Program is open to music publishers and foreign societies with musical compositions initially distributed by one or more Record Companies in the United States during the years 2013 through 2017. P&U Royalties for products released between 2013 and 2017 (Group IV) will be distributed in two phases as follows:

Group IV, Phase A—P&U royalties accrued for products released in 2013 and 2014; and

Group IV, Phase B—P&U royalties accrued for products released in 2015 through 2017.