RAAP | A Stong Voice For Irish Performers
Éanna Casey, CEO Recorded Artists & Performers (RAAP)
On January 1st 2001 the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 will come into being, the significance of this for Performers is that it includes a Performers Right to be paid for contributions they have made to commercially published sound recordings, regardless of any contracts signed at the time of the recording.
R.A.A.P. the Recorded Artists and Performers Ltd. is a not for profit company run by Performers for Performers, the Chief Executive of R.A.A.P. is Éanna Casey formerly the Political Adviser to the Minister responsible for introducing Legislation for Rights Holders.
R.A.A.P.'s first task will be to ensure that Performers receive their full entitlement to this new income, both in Ireland and overseas.
'The fact that Ireland was the last country in the European Union to introduce this Performers Right almost four years after the U.K., highlights the need for a strong voice for Performers both at home and at E.U. level', states Chief Executive Éanna Casey.
For years money collected by foreign societies for many Irish performers has stayed in the country of collection. Overseas revenue collected by R.A.A.P. is not subject to withholding tax in the country of origin and these revenues are passed to R.A.A.P. members without any Administration fee being charged. This is a benefit for performers who would otherwise have to pay commission of up to 20% to a collection agent to collect their money.
R.A.A.P. has already negotiated a bilateral Reciprocal agreement with P@MRA the performers association for the U.K. and has begun preliminary exchanges with the Netherlands, Poland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Japan and Spain.
As an organisation R.A.A.P. is better able to defend performers rights and earnings than individuals can.The introduction of the Legislation will change all existing arrangements. At present, PPI collect and administer royalties for record companies and producers, now they will collect on behalf of performers.R.A.A.P. will negotiate a realistic payment of royalties from PPI for performers and look after their distribution.Performers, who have made a commercial recording since 1951, are now eligible to receive royalties from R.A.A.P. if that recording was broadcast from January 2001.
The Irish Music Industry is entering a Dynamic phase the new Music Board will endeavour to identify and promote best practice and indeed innovative concepts to ensure that the industry continues to expand. Performer interests must be central to any new Forum that is set up to drive the future of the Music Industry.
The launch of R.A.A.P. will ensure that Performers and Artists, throughout the country, will now receive the monies to which they are entitled.Recorded Artists and Performers is a totally independent organisation, the directors of which are elected and appointed by performers themselves.
If you are interested in joining R.A.A.P. please complete the enclosed Mandate Form and return it in the prepaid envelope provided.
Further information can be obtained on our Web-site at www.raap.ie or e-mail info@raap.ie
What The Performers Have To Say About R.A.A.P.
"U2 are delighted to be part of R.A.A.P's co-ordinated effort to ensure all performers of music on records receive their long overdue royalties" - The Edge, U2
"It's great to hear there is now a wholly Irish organisation that will look after the rights of Irish performers" - Paul Brady
"It's good news that now all performers will get their fair share of royalties" - Mary Black
"At last Ireland has an organisation which will collect royalties on behalf of Irish performers. R.A.A.P. is a giant step forward for the Irish Music Industry" - Eleanor McEvoy
"I'm delighted that an organisation such as R.A.A.P. now exists, and will fairly collect royalties on behalf of performers in Ireland" - Paddy Maloney, The Chieftains
