CUSMGT404A
Administer artists' royalty income

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to negotiate and distribute royalty and other income due to artists.

Application

Employees of record companies, artist managers and, at times, artists apply the skills and knowledge outlined in this unit. They are responsible for negotiating financial agreements with artists about recording their performances for distribution through a range of physical and digital outlets. These agreements may also include subsidiary products, such as merchandise or the right of third parties to associate their brands with artists. Skills associated with administering royalty income to songwriters and composers for the use of their music are covered in:

CUSMGT402A Administer music publishing income.


Prerequisites

Not applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Clarify terms and conditions of agreements with artists

1.1 Identify products and rights to be covered in agreements with artists

1.2 Calculate income in line with contractual arrangements

1.3 Negotiate and confirm royalties arising from the reproduction of artists' recordings

1.4 Ensure royalty negotiations accurately and fairly reflect the commercial stature of artists

1.5 Discuss, confirm and document terms and conditions to be included in agreements with artists

1.6 Ensure commercial interests of artists and any third parties are balanced and clearly articulated

1.7 Liaise with personnel responsible for drawing up contracts with artists to ensure that contracts reflect agreed terms and conditions

2. Disperse income and maintain financial records

2.1 Use relevant software to calculate royalties and income in line with agreements

2.2 Distribute income to artists in line with agreements

2.3 Update files systematically to ensure currency and accuracy of records and reporting

2.4 Ensure that discrepancies in payments or queries are identified, resolved or referred to relevant personnel

Required Skills

Required skills

literacy skills sufficient to interpret contracts and agreements

numeracy skills sufficient to calculateroyalty paymentsand apportion income to artists

communication skills sufficient to negotiate terms and conditions of agreements with artists

initiative and enterprise skills in the context of negotiating deals that maximise income for all parties to agreements

learning skills sufficient to maintain currency of knowledge in relation to recording and other deals open to artists

planning and organisational skills sufficient to:

assemble information relevant to artists' agreements

keep accurate records of agreements with artists

problem-solving skills sufficient to address discrepancies in royalty calculations

self-management skills sufficient to assess and prioritise own workload

teamwork skills sufficient to build and maintain networks and relationships with artists and clients

technical skills sufficient to use standard word-processing and accounting software

Required knowledge

copyright legislation as it relates to licensing, publishing, rights and royalties:

Copyright Act 1968

Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000

revenue structures in the music industry

types of royalty income due to artists, composers and songwriters

methods for calculating and distributing income to artists

rights and obligations of artists, recording companies and third parties in agreements

role and functions of:

industry personnel

music retail outlets

music publishing companies

record companies

digital distributors/aggregators

national and international music industry associations

routine bookkeeping and accounting procedures

typical features, requirements and terminology used incontracts and agreements with artists

issues and challenges that typically arise in the context of administering artists' income

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

negotiate terms and conditions of financial agreements with artists

calculate, collect and distribute income to artists in line with agreements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to:

copyright and licensing legislation, including the Copyright Act 1968 and Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000

word-processing and accounting software

industry association agreements

artists

use of culturally appropriate processes, and techniques appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

case studies to assess the candidate's ability to negotiate terms and conditions of financial agreements with artists

direct observation of candidate calculating, collecting and distributing income to artists

written or oral questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required knowledge section of this unit

problem-solving activities to assess ability to calculateincome and apportion their distribution.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBPUR402B Negotiate contracts

CUSIND401A Develop specialist expertise in the music industry

CUSMGT401A Manage distribution of music and associated products

CUSMGT402A Administer music publishing income

CUSMGT403A Managelicensing of music

CUSPUR501A Establish and manage recording contracts.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Products may include:

audio recordings:

physical products, e.g. CDs

digitally distributed

video recordings:

physical products, e.g. DVDs

digitally distributed

merchandise, such as:

T-shirts

posters

stickers

mugs

gimmicky objects.

Rights may include:

brand association granted to a third party

ownership of copyright in the recording

other.

Artists may include:

solo performers, such as:

singers

instrumentalists

dancers

circus performers

bands

ensembles.

Income may include:

royalties derived from audio-only recordings, such as:

physical product sales

digital downloads

background/in-store music

educational recordings

premiums

ringtones

royalties derived from synchronisation rights from the use of sound recordings in audiovisual productions

income from:

public performance of recordings

sale of merchandise

rights licensed or assigned to third parties.

Recordings may include:

recorded studio performances

recorded live performances

Terms and conditions may include:

advances

royalty payment schedule

royalty splits:

general

synchronisation

public performance

other

assignment of copyright

creative control

duration, e.g. term and retention

enforcement of rights

goods and services tax (GST)

independent advice

jurisdiction

notices

obligation to exploit

overseas income

productivity commitment

promises and warranties

recoupment

reversion of copyright

termination

territory.

Agreements may cover:

recording deals

brand association arrangements

other.

Relevant personnel may include:

manager

accountant

auditor

artist

artist manager.


Sectors

Management and leadership - management


Employability Skills

Not applicable


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.