SPEDIDAM: Why Every Performing Musician Should Register Their Works

As a performing musician, it’s easy to focus on creating music and neglect administrative tasks. Yet, registering your works with SPEDIDAM is essential to receive the royalties you are entitled to. But what exactly is SPEDIDAM, what are its advantages and limitations, and why is it crucial to declare every recording? Let’s break it down.

What is SPEDIDAM and Which Rights Does It Manage?

SPEDIDAM, the Society for the Collection and Distribution of Performing Artists’ Rights in Music and Dance, is a French organization responsible for collecting and redistributing neighboring rights to performing musicians and dancers. Unlike copyright (managed by SACEM for composers and authors), neighboring rights concern the remuneration of your performance of an existing work.

These rights apply to all your performances that are recorded or publicly broadcasted: albums, singles, participation in filmed concerts, stage music, or TV shows. Every time a work you performed on is broadcast on a revenue-generating platform, SPEDIDAM can collect and distribute the royalties to the performing artists.

The Advantages of SPEDIDAM for Performing Musicians

1. Earning Royalties for Every Broadcast

Through SPEDIDAM, you are paid when your performances are broadcast on radio, TV, streaming platforms, or public events. This is an additional source of income beyond album sales or concerts.

2. Official Recognition of Your Role

Registering your works provides official proof of your participation in a musical production. This can be useful for legal purposes or to enhance your credibility as a professional musician.

3. Support for Artistic Projects

SPEDIDAM sometimes provides financial support for production, recording, or touring. Registering your works allows you not only to collect royalties but also to benefit from support for future projects.

4. Simplified Rights Management

Instead of negotiating or collecting your royalties individually for each broadcast, SPEDIDAM centralizes everything and redistributes automatically according to the works you declare. This saves you time and effort.

Limitations and Drawbacks

• Declaration is not automatic: if you don’t declare your works, you won’t receive any royalties. Even if your music is widely broadcast, your shares may remain uncollected.
• Sharing royalties: on works with multiple musicians, each performer receives a fraction of the royalties. The more participants, the smaller your individual share.
• Payment delays: collection and redistribution of royalties can take several months. Distributions are generally made twice a year, in June and November.
• Administrative requirements: certain rules or exclusivity agreements may limit your ability to collect royalties if you are already affiliated with other organizations for the same works.

Why Declaring Every Recording Is Essential

Imagine you played on five albums but only register two with SPEDIDAM. The three other albums will generate royalties that you will never receive. Declaration is the only way to ensure you are compensated for all your work.

By registering your works:

• You maximize your neighboring rights income.
• You obtain official recognition for your participation.
• You secure your rights in case of disputes.

Every recording session should be declared, even if your role seems minor: guitar, bass, drums, vocals, or backing vocals—everything counts.

How to Register Your Works with SPEDIDAM

1. Create a member account on SPEDIDAM’s website.
2. Enter each work: title, recording date, role played, names of other performers.
3. Check eligibility: all performances must be recorded and publicly broadcast.
4. Keep precise records: a session logbook or digital file will help you not forget any works and declare new ones quickly.

Practical tip: the more precise and complete your declarations, the more optimized your royalties. Correct spelling of names and the exact role played on each track can make a difference during the distribution of royalties.

SPEDIDAM is an indispensable tool for all performing musicians. It allows you to receive often overlooked income, legally protect your work, and support your artistic projects. Declaring all your works may seem tedious, but it is an investment that pays off in the long run. Every session, every album, every note played deserves recognition and compensation: SPEDIDAM ensures this, with distributions generally made twice a year, in June and November.