SAMRO Forms – Checklist

If you want to be successful in the music industry then you should first ensure that your paperwork is in order. The following blog post will look into the relevant SAMRO Forms that you should download and submit.

I’m assuming that you know what stands SAMRO for, if not please the read the previous article I wrote.

SAMRO MEMBER UPDATE FORMS

Vericast Upload work instructions: This form will give you the instructions on how to upload your music catalogue on the samro system. You can upload your audio tracks one by one (which is recommended by SAMRO by the way).

 Download this form if you intend to submit your music online and it will take you through all the steps from start to finish.

Client Update form: If it so happens that you change your surname (or name), email address, phone number or physical address, you can download this form, update your details and email it back to them.

Banking details update: This is pretty much self-explanatory. On the samro website there are two types of forms (local and foreign). You should download the one applicable to you. For example if you are located in South Africa it wouldn’t make sense to download the foreign bank form update right?

WTRD Declaration form: WTRD is short for Withholding Tax on Declaration. This form is completed by the foreign person to or for the benefit of which royalty is paid (exemption from/reduced tax rate).

SAMRO MEMBER APPLICATION FORMS

Composer split samro forms: Say you co-produced a track with three other producers/composers then will need to fill out this form by including the following information:

Composer full names, contribution (lyrics, melody, etc.) and the percentage that each person should receive from the composition. 

Notification of works samro forms: If you have songs that you have written and/or produced (released or unreleased), you should register your work on the samro database by downloading the notification of works form. You need to have the entire information ready which includes but not limited to the following:

• Title of the work (song)
• Track duration
• Performing artist/group, etc.

Membership application form: In order to receive samro benefits, you have to be member. I must state, SAMRO application does not equal to automatic membership. It’s a process.

But you should still apply for membership. You can do so by downloading the composer/author membership forms. Application for membership is free of charge by the way.

Deed of assignment form: This basically an agreement of copyright between you (composer/author/publisher) and the organization, being samro.

MUSIC PUBLISHER FORMS

Composer, Author, Publisher Notification of works form: If you are publishing your own music then you have to download these forms. Music publishers can also register works on behalf of clients (musicians).

Deed of Assignment form: An agreement between you (the publisher) and samro (the organization).

Publisher Membership Form: If you want to register as music publisher you need to have a registered company and a business bank account.

SAMRO BENEFIT FORMS

Death before retirement notification form: Applicable to existing samro members when amending details

Retirement notification form: Applicable to samro members when amending personal details

Withdrawal/transfer notification form: Same as above

Conclusion

Don’t forget that you can download all the mentioned forms on the link below.

https://www.samro.org.za/forms