The AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings (a.k.a. the "Code"), covers sound recordings on vinyl, CD's, cassettes, etc., and includes all music formats as well as books on tape, cast albums, and any other sound recording utilizing vocal performance. The Code not only covers singers, but announcers, actors, comedians, narrators and sound effects artists as well.

The Code applies to artists who work at scale and overscale, and who appear as both royalty and non-royalty artists. In addition, some artists may be royalty artists for their own recordings, but qualify as non-royalty artists when they appear on other artists' recordings.

AFTRA's Sound Recordings Code has been in existence since the early 1950s. Today, over 1200 companies are signed to AFTRA's Code, including the five major labels: Sony, Warner, EMI, BMG and Universal Music Group and most of their subsidiary labels. If you work with one of these companies signed to the AFTRA Code, you have the advantage of being covered by the protections of the contract.

Click here for a summary of the key provisions of the Code, as of July 1, 2004. Members should consult the actual Code for specific terms applicable to a given recording, and contact the AFTRA local or National office for the rates and terms that apply to work performed on or before December 31, 2003.