The Design and Copyright Society (DACS) has announced that last month over 15,000 visual artists enjoyed a share of £4 million in Payback royalties.
The annual scheme distributes royalties to visual artists whose work has been reproduced in UK books and magazines or on TV. Royalties come from revenue generated through various UK collective licensing schemes and includes the photocopying of books and magazines by local government departments, universities and other businesses.
DACS negotiates a share of this collective licensing revenue and then distributes it to visual artists. Last year the average amount received was £285, with the highest payment in excess of £5,000. Every artist who made a successful claim was guaranteed a minimum of £25.
In August 2012, DACS launched a new online system for Payback making it quicker and easier to make a claim. These improvements have seen more artists than ever before benefiting from royalties.
Daniel Rudd, DACS Artists’ Services Manager, said: “We’re delighted that our online system has seen a record number of visual artists claiming Payback. We are now looking at how we can make this year’s campaign even better. Feedback from claimants has been an important part of this process and new developments are planned for this summer.”
Gavin Wade, artist and Director of Eastside Projects, said: “It’s always brilliant when my payment comes through. Great Christmas timing. Any artist not claiming should check it out now!”
Payback 2013 will launch this summer. Visual artists who wish to claim Payback for the first time this year should register with DACS at [email protected].
To find out more about Payback visit www.dacs.org.uk/for-artists/payback or follow on Twitter at @DACSforartists
