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.
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 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 , her ministers and
officials for securing this positive outcome. We are also
incredibly grateful to her predecessor 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.”
