British Equity Collecting Society (BECS)
Established in 1998 to collect and distribute monies to UK based actors for audiovisual performances. In 2006 the total amount distributed by BECS since it was set up reached £10million. The monies distributed in 2006 included first time payments from Belgium and Romania, plus payments for the BBC's video-on-demand trials and statutory airplay royalties for readers of literary works broadcast on Oneword (digital radio channel). BECS also has a new arrangement to distribute a share of future royalties to readers of audio-books from three newly launched audio-book rental services. Equity Councillors are on the board of BECS. Artists have to sign up to BECS individually but this costs nothing and you can withdraw at any time - for more information visit www.equitycollecting.org.uk