If you are living, earning royalties or touring overseas, we’re with you every step of the way.
What about copyright in other countries?
Most countries have copyright laws similar to New Zealand. If your work is protected here, it will also be protected in most other territories. This is because most countries (including New Zealand) have signed international treaties and conventions requiring signatories to provide minimum standards of protection for copyright material from all countries party to the treaty.
New Zealand copyright works are protected in about 133 countries, including Canada , China , France , Germany , Hong Kong , Indonesia , Japan , Korea , Malaysia , Australia , Singapore , the United Kingdom and the United States . Similarly, works from these and other territories will also be protected in New Zealand. It is important to note, however, that the term of protection may differ in other territories, and you may wish to seek specific advice on this matter.
My co-writer who is a member of an overseas society has already been paid by their society for overseas performances of our works there. How long will it take for me to get paid?
This may be because the international society has different information in their database about that work. Eg: you may have a work registered 100% to you as the composer/author, but your royalty statement might list your share in overseas earnings as 50%. It's important that advise us if you've signed any publishing agreements, or if there are any other co-writers we are unaware of. If you think you've been underpaid, please contact us.
I was told overseas that I need to form a publishing company to collect my mechanical royalties. Is this true?
While in some countries forming a publishing company is necessary to collect your mechanical royalties, this is not required in New Zealand. If you represent your own catalogue, then you can market, promote and exploit it without needing to form a publishing company.
What type of events are paid directly via Setlist Submissions?
Major festivals, tours promoted by a National Event Promoter and other large events are directly distributed, which means the event's setlist(s) help us pay the right royalties to all the songwriters whose works were performed. Make sure you provide the Promoter with the setlist for the tour (this can be one setlist for the entire tour or can be a different setlist for each night). Other larger events and organisations also submit setlist for direct payments such as the State Symphony orchestras. If you are asked for a setlist by a promoter or event organiser, it probably means the event will be directly distributed.
If your setlist information is required by us, you'll get event setlist requests directly in your Writer Portal, App notifications, or in the submissions tab when you login and to your email inbox.
When you get a notification, just follow the prompts to submit your setlist direct.
The music industry is full of jargon. Use our plain-English glossary to understand what the more obscure terms mean.