UK Music Welcomes New Trade Deal With New Zealand

UK Music has today welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement agreed in principle between the UK and New Zealand which includes commitments to vital new copyright protections for musicians, performers and music companies.

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UK Music

As the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry, UK Music has made a number of representations to the UK Government, through its Trade Advisory Group and other channels, on the measures needed so the music industry can benefit from any deal with New Zealand.

The new Agreement in Principle includes, in line with UK Music’s representations, an important commitment from New Zealand to extend copyright term by 20 years for authors, performers and producers (which will be implemented within 15 years of entry into force of the FTA).

We also welcome the commitments to adopt or maintain a public performance right for performers to cover communication to the public of phonograms.

Copyright term extension means musicians and music companies will be able to receive the royalties they deserve for longer. Music released towards the end of the last century onwards will benefit from term extension in New Zealand when this provision comes into force.

The UK and New Zealand governments will now work to finalise the legal text of their Free Trade Agreement ahead of domestic approval and completion.

UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said:

“The trade deal with UK and New Zealand is excellent news for the music industries in both countries. It demonstrates what can be achieved for music as we forge our new international role and will ensure a greater level of protection for the rights of musicians and performers in particular in this important market.

“The Government is to be congratulated for recognising the importance of music in these negotiations and we thank Department for International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, her ministers and officials for securing this positive outcome. We are also incredibly grateful to her predecessor Liz Truss and her team, who worked hard to push this agenda in negotiations.

“The music industry is a national asset, contributing £5.8 billion to the economy pre-pandemic. Placing music at the heart of trade deals is crucial to our post-pandemic recovery, and we hope this outcome sets an important precedent for the future free trade agreements that Government is looking to strike.”

Source UK Music

October 21, 2021 4:00am ET by Pressparty  

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