I was asked to pass this document along.
I think that it may just impact some of the folks here
If it doesn't affect you, but it affects someone that you know, please =
feel free to pass it along to that person...
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An URGENT Open Letter to All AFTRA Royalty
Recording Artists from Sam Moore =20
=20
On June 20, 2002 there will be a hearing in Federal District Court in =
Atlanta, Georgia that will effect on every person who worked as a =
royalty earning vocal recording artist prior to January 1, 1995. What's =
before the Court on that day is a Proposed Settlement of Claims against =
the AFTRA Health & Retirement Fund on behalf of "a class" consisting of =
every vocal recording artist who worked before that date which includes =
you!
What will be affected as a result of this hearing for every recording =
artist, including you, is the accurate calculation and payment of health =
and retirement benefits to which you as an artist are entitled.=20
If YOU are an artist, or the HEIR of an artist, and the settlement if =
approved by the Court, will affect your ability to challenge the =
determination of what those benefits should be, or even if you are =
eligible for benefits at all.=20
This settlement has been proposed over the objection of several of the =
Named Plaintiffs in the case, including myself the Lead Plaintiff in the =
case Moore et. al. v. AFTRA et. al, the Estate of Mary Wells, and Brian =
Hyland, Brenton Wood and the heirs of Dave Prater Jr. The individual =
Plaintiffs who signed off on the proposal get a cash payment of One =
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) each for waiving their claims in the =
settlement. The class counsel themselves have asked for a fee of 25% ( =
twenty-five percent) of the total settlement amount of 8.4 Million =
dollars which equals $2,200,000 (two point two million dollars) , plus =
expenses. In addition, funds will be spent for administering the =
settlement. This leaves approximately 4 to 5 Million dollars to be =
divided between the class of around 10,000 people. This means that each =
artist or estate would get less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
The Proposed Settlement calls for a "mandatory" class. This means that, =
if the settlement is approved, all royalty vocal artists will be =
included.
Many of you may never receive an "official notice" of the proposal =
because your name and address may not appear on the "official" list =
supplied to the Court by AFTRA's H & R Fund and the attorneys. =20
I believe there may be over 10,000 people who should be on the list, but =
who may not. The published notice of the Proposed Settlement at present =
will appear only in Billboard or Jet magazine. This letter may be the =
only way you will find out about the settlement.
THE ONLY CHANCE YOU HAVE TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHTS, AND THOSE OF EVERY =
OTHER ROYALTY VOCAL RECORDING AFTRA ARTIST IS TO READ AND CAREFULLY =
CONSIDER THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMMENT AND/OR OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT.
If you choose to comment or object the lawyers and the Clerk of The =
Court must receive your letter by May 30, 2002 for it to count. Under =
the Court Rules, the document must contain the following:
a. The name and docket number of the case, which is SAMUEL D.MOORE =
et.al. v. AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISIONR AND RADIO ARTISTS, et. al. =
1- 93- CV -2358-CC
b. The basis for your comment or objection.
c. Any supporting documents or memoranda you wish to provide
d. Proof that you are a vocal artist eligible for membership in the =
class, such as:
1. A photocopy of a record contract.
2. A photocopy of a royalty statement (you can block out amounts and =
other personal information as long as your name and the name of the =
company appear on the statement)
3. Press clippings or promotional material identifying you as a vocal =
recording artist.
4. A photocopy of a record label or of liner notes showing you as a =
vocal artist.
5. References to you as a vocal recording artist in books, magazines or =
other publications.
e. Your name, mailing address and contact telephone number.
f. Your signature.
It is essential that you give this matter serious consideration. If you =
wish further information or a simplified cover sheet for your response =
to the Court e-mail me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] =20
Sincerely,
Sam Moore
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Bob Davis
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