R  O  Y  A  L  T  I  E  S

http://www.nmpa.org/hfa.html

Primarily known for collecting Mechanical Royalties. Also does Synchronization Licensing.

HFA licenses the mechanical right, whereas ASCAP, BMI and SESAC license the performance rights. The mechanical right is separate and apart from the performing right. A publisher assigns his public performance rights to one of these societies. HFA represents ASCAP, BMI and SESAC publishers, licensing the right to record their works.

HFA only represents publishing companies, not individual writers. It is primarily of benefit when doing large run releases, to monitor and audit the record company to ensure the monies for Mechanical Royalties are paid correctly.

You might have to deal with HFA if you are doing a cover version (not sampled, see Sampling), as the original composer gets paid for your record companies license to physically manufacture records with that composition on it.