The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) received a $1.3 million royalty distribution from the Authors Coalition in December 2007, the largest such payout to date.
The Authors Coalition of America, founded in 1994, redistributes royalties on non-title-specific works that are photocopied abroad.
Unlike the United States, many European countries have created a tax on photocopying. International reprographic rights organizations funnel these funds through the Authors Coalition, which, in turn, distributes payments to its member organizations.
ASMP is still planning how to use these funds, which it has placed in secured investments until its board completes discussions for their use later this year. The Authors Coalition stipulates that distributions cannot be used for operating costs and are restricted to industry education and advocacy.