IFPI and WIN, trade groups representing major and independent record labels respectively, have announced a cross-industry collaboration to create Repertoire Data Exchange (RDx), a centralized industry data exchange. PPL, the UK music industry’s collective management organization, will operate the new service.
The roll-out of RDx to all right holders and MLCs is expected to start in 2020.
RDx will enable record labels and other music licensing companies (MLCs) to ubmit and access authoritative recording data via a single point and in a standardized format (DDEX MLC). This should help to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and efficiency of MLCs’ revenue distributions to rights holders worldwide.
The launch phase of RDx will receive technical support from a group of record companies (Beggars Group, PIAS, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and The state51 Music Group/CI) and MLCs (PPL, Re:Sound, SENA and Gramex Finland).
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: “Record companies continue to invest in and enhance the accuracy and management of music data in many different areas of the industry. RDx is a key example of an initiative that will benefit all parties involved. It will improve operational efficiencies and lower costs for right holders whilst allowing MLCs to retrieve authoritative repertoire data from a single point – enabling more accurate and timely distribution of revenues. “We are very grateful to all our MLC and record company partners who are working closely with us on this project. We look forward to bringing on board more MLCs and right holders as we roll out the service.”
Charlie Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of WIN, said: “Performance rights make up an increasingly important part of independent labels’ revenues. With music being globally accessible, our association members’ repertoire travels the globe and sees revenues generated internationally. Historically, supplying complex data into the international network of MLCs has not been straightforward for independent producers and right holders. The international independent sector has, through WIN, supported the development of RDx over several years since its inception. We are delighted that the industry has worked together to create a service for the benefit of all labels and producers. We look forward to working on a joint basis with IFPI as RDx gathers momentum.”
Peter Leathem, chief executive of PPL, added: “In recent years, we at PPL have invested significantly in our technology and data capabilities; as such, our leading role in the development of RDx is complementary to our existing operations. We are well placed to support IFPI and WIN to address the challenges of big data, drawing on our in-house experience in using DDEX, our relationships with music licensing companies around the world, and our expertise gained from managing huge volumes of recording data every week. This is a significant step forward in global data management and we are proud to be powering such an innovative solution on behalf of IFPI and WIN.”