Music Coalitions Respond to SAG-AFTRA Sound Recordings Code Tentative Agreement

Today, SAG-AFTRA and the leading record labels — Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Disney Music Group — announced a tentative multiyear agreement on a successor contract to the SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings. Read details here.

Music creator groups have lauded the new SAG-AFTRA Sound Recordings Code:

“The music business has historically lagged behind on technological developments. This time, with A.I., MAC, BMAC and SONA joined forces with SAG-AFTRA to ensure that artists are protected upfront. This collective bargaining agreement with our label partners is a great first step to make sure artists have creative control and get paid,” said Music Artists Coalition Founder Irving Azoff. “Congratulations to Duncan, Jeff and the SAG-AFTRA team.”

“BMAC salutes SAG-AFTRA on reaching a tentative deal on their Sound Recordings Code. For too long, industry standards have failed to protect artists rights especially that of Black artists, and this establishment of meaningful standards on A.I. aligns with BMAC’s mission of justice through parity and equal protection,” said Black Music Action Coalition Co-Founder, President and CEO Willie “Prophet” Stiggers.

“SONA congratulates SAG-AFTRA on reaching a tentative deal on their Sound Recordings Code,” said Dina LaPolt, attorney, co-founder and board member of Songwriters of North America. “SAG-AFTRA has achieved an agreement that includes important protections for recording artists and meaningful standards on A.I. for the music industry. As artists and industry allies, we are grateful for the union’s work in designing guardrails around emerging technology. This is a crucial step in ultimately protecting all creator rights.”

SAG-AFTRA recognizes the Music Artists Coalition, Black Music Action Coalition and Songwriters of North America for their support and contributions on behalf of featured artists and all SAG-AFTRA members in these negotiations.

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.