Updating Legacy Master Rights Agreements
Below is the key information for Rights Holders migrating from legacy input agreements to Recorded Music NZ’s current and most up-to-date form of Master Rights Agreement (first implemented on 1 January 2019).
Background
Recorded Music NZ is a collective management organisation which acts on the authority it has from its registered rights holders to negotiate licences with radio, television and other music users, collect revenues for the use of recorded music, and distribute those revenues to registered rights holders and recording artists.
The authority that we need to collect and distribute revenues on behalf of rights holders is set out in a non-exclusive licence agreement called a Master Rights Agreement. It’s important that the Master Rights Agreement we have in place with rights holders is kept up-to-date and consistent so we can licence rights in the most efficient way.
If you are receiving royalties from Recorded Music NZ, you will have already entered into a version of the Master Rights Agreement with us. However, some of these versions are becoming outdated and it’s time for us to update our contractual relationship with those of you who are on prior versions or legacy agreements.
We will be contacting all rights holders who are signed up with us via an older form of agreement to let you know what you need to do.
Updating your Master Rights Agreement to this new version does not change the way that distributions to you (or any other rights holder) are calculated and paid. All rights holders are treated the same under the Recorded Music NZ Distribution Policy.
The FAQs below explain why this update is needed. Got pātai that aren’t answered here? Please let us know by emailing memberservices@recordedmusic.co.nz