Collecting for revenues earned overseas

Recorded Music NZ’s primary function is to collect and distribute revenues from uses of sound recordings within New Zealand.
In some cases we can collect income from uses of music in other countries and pay it directly to registered New Zealand Master Rights Holders, via bilateral agreements with similar entities in those countries.

We currently have bilateral agreements in place with Sound Exchange (USA), PPL (UK) and PPCA (Australia).

If you are a Master Rights Holder and you are aware that your recordings have been publicly performed or broadcast in these countries, you should let us know as it may be possible to claim income for those uses directly through Recorded Music NZ.

We do not automatically register Master Rights Holders for income from these countries, as there are differences in the law as between NZ and these other countries that can affect whether and how much you are able to collect.

This will be possible only if you own copyright in both territories.

For any queries or more information please contact memberservices@recordedmusic.co.nz

Rights holders based overseas

Starting from 2025, Recorded Music NZ will accept direct registrations from record companies (of a certain scale) whose recordings are registered with the data exchange hub RDx. However, while we are accepting direct registrations from some international record companies in 2025, we will still not be taking direct registrations from international MLCs or agents. If overseas entities wish to collect in New Zealand and they do not meet these requirements, we ask that they work through a local agent. Full details are set out in Section 6 and Section 7 of the Distribution Policy