Recorded Music NZ

Recorded Music NZ (formerly Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ)) is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand. Membership of Recorded Music NZ is open to any record label operating in New Zealand, and is dominated by the American and UK owned "Big Three" (Sony, Universal and Warner Music Group). Recorded Music NZ has approximately 56 affiliate members.

Prior to June 2013, the association was known as the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). RIANZ and PPNZ Music Licensing were merged and renamed Recorded Music NZ.

Recorded Music NZ offers services under three areas: Member Services (the New Zealand Music Awards, the Official NZ Top40 Chart and direct services to artists and labels), Music Licensing (carried out through PPNZ Music Licensing) and Pro Music services regarding copyright protection and corporate affairs.

History

The association was originally named the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industry (NZFPI). In 1972 it was renamed to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). In 2013, following a merger with PPNZ Music Licensing, it was renamed to Recorded Music NZ.

Music licensing

Music licensing is the licensed use of copyrighted music. Music licensing is intended to ensure that the owners of copyrights on musical works are compensated for certain uses of their work. A purchaser has limited rights to use the work without a separate agreement.

Definitions

The following words and phrases appear in discussion of music licensing:

Rights organizations sample radio and television broadcasts, offer blanket licenses to broadcasters, and investigate complaints to detect and prevent unauthorized performances.

In the U.S., ASCAP and BMI hire field agents to monitor public performances. The field agents may act as agents for the organization, negotiating a fee for a blanket license, but individuals may negotiate directly with the organization. The fee may be presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, but in case of disagreement the fee may be appealed to the Federal District Court in the Southern District of New York.

Broadcasting

Broadcasting, in the context of music licensing, means the playback of recorded or live music for groups of people beyond what might be normally expected in a social setting. Legal claims are filed frequently against bookstores, bars, and live music venues that broadcast music without first obtaining a performance license.