SoundExchange Enhances International Initiatives

Organization Joins International Performer Database Association, Signs Five New Record Label Reciprocal Agreements and Announces New Department Head

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SoundExchange continues to expand its global reach in collecting performance royalties for its member recording artists and record labels.  The organization announced today it has joined the International Performer Database Association (IPDA) and has signed five new reciprocal agreements with record label collecting societies in France, Spain, Sweden, Ireland and Jamaica. With the addition of these agreements, it brings SoundExchange total number of international agreements to 22.  Ryan Lehning, previously Senior Counsel for SoundExchange, was recently named Director of International to lead these efforts.  

"We are enhancing our international capabilities to ensure our members (both artists and labels) receive performance royalties for the use of their recordings wherever they are performed," said SoundExchange President, Michael Huppe. "SoundExchange is actively working to expand the territories where we collect foreign royalties, and we anticipate signing up additional territories throughout the year."

Through IPDA, SoundExchange will extend its international presence and data exchange with foreign Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). Participation in IPDA will enable SoundExchange to increase the royalties collected on behalf of its members from overseas.

SoundExchange has also established a new policy to maximize royalties paid out to its members. For royalties collected for members from foreign PROs on or after January 1, 2012, SoundExchange will no longer deduct an administrative rate.  As a result of this policy, artists and record labels won't be charged a "double-admin" rate.

Recording artists and record labels may learn more about becoming members of SoundExchange at www.soundexchange.com, and are encouraged to download an International Fact Sheet for more information.

About SoundExchange
SoundExchange is the non-profit performance rights organization that represents the entire recorded music industry.  The organization collects statutory royalties from satellite radio, internet radio, cable TV music channels and other services that stream sound recordings. The Copyright Royalty Board, created by Congress, has entrusted SoundExchange as the only entity in the United States to collect and distribute these digital performance royalties for featured recording artists and master rights owners. SoundExchange has paid out more than $900 million in royalties since its inception. For more information, visit www.SoundExchange.com and www.facebook.com/soundexchange .

SOURCE SoundExchange