International Royalties

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 recordings in other countries and pay it directly to registered Rights Holders, via bilateral agreements with similar entities in those countries.

Collecting revenues earned overseas on behalf of NZ based Registered Rights Holders and Recording Artists

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

If you are a Registered Rights Holder and 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 through Recorded Music NZ. Similarly, if we become aware of royalties from overseas that may be due to you as a Registered Rights Holder, we will contact you directly with information about how and what further information we may need in order to collect revenues on your behalf.

We do not automatically register Rights Holders for income from these countries, as our licences are non-exclusive and 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.

Depending on the territory where performances in sound recordings took place, individual performers (other than those who own copyright in the master recording) may also be entitled to receive a share of revenues from overseas collection bodies. In certain instances Recorded Music is able to collect income for ‘featured performers’ in the UK. However, our international collection is primarily for Recording Rights Holders, we do not generally collect revenues on behalf of individual performers for music use and we do not represent session musicians.

Further info on managing your International Neighbouring Rights

If you would like to know more about managing your international neighbouring rights please contact our Member Services team at 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, at this stage we will still not be taking direct registrations from international MLCs or agents. Full details are set out in Section 6 and Section 7 of the Distribution Policy