(Revised March 2022)

One of the benefits due credited writers under the Writers Guild Minimum Basic Agreement and the Public TV Freelance Agreement (see page 43) is compensation for the reuse of their material. This compensation is called residuals.

The purpose of this guide is to provide writers with a basic knowledge of residual compensation—what it is, who receives it, and when it is due.

This guide is not a substitute for the Writers Guild of America Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement or Public TV Freelance Agreement (collectively “MBA”). Please refer to the MBA or Schedule of Minimums for the most current rates.

This guide is not intended to, and does not, alter the provisions of these MBAs in any way. If anything contained herein contradicts these MBAs, the MBA provisions prevail.

PLEASE NOTE that not every use or reuse of your material is covered in this guide. If you have a situation that is not covered in this guide, or if you require more information, please contact the WGAW Residuals Department at (323) 782-4700 or the WGAE at (212) 767-7838.

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  • WHAT ARE RESIDUALS?
  • WHY ARE WRITERS ENTITLED TO RESIDUALS?
  • WHO RECEIVES RESIDUALS?
  • ARE YOU ENTITLED TO RESIDUALS?
  • EXHIBITION MARKETS
  • HOW ARE RESIDUALS CALCULATED?
  • RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
  • RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-FREE TELEVISION PROJECTS
  • RESIDUALS FOR COMEDY/VARIETY PROJECTS
  • RESIDUALS FOR DAYTIME SERIALS
  • RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-BASIC CABLE TELEVISION PROJECTS
  • RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-PAY TELEVISION AND MADE-FOR-DVD/VIDEOCASSETTE PROJECTS
  • RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-PBS PROJECTS
  • RESIDUALS FOR THE USE OF EXCERPTS
  • RESIDUALS ON CREATOR SEQUEL PAYMENTS
  • CHARACTER PAYMENTS
  • FOREIGN COPYRIGHT LEVIES
  • COMMISSIONS ON RESIDUALS
  • RESIDUALS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS
  • DUES ON RESIDUALS
  • PENSION PLAN & HEALTH FUND CONTRIBUTIONS ON RESIDUALS
  • MONITORING RESIDUALS
  • PROCESSING RESIDUALS
  • CONCLUSION
  • EXAMPLES