IFPI's Mission

IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry) represents the recording industry worldwide with some 1300 members in 66 countries and affiliated industry associations in 55 countries.

IFPI is a not for profit members organisation registered in Switzerland. It operates a Secretariat currently based in London and has regional offices in Brussels, Hong Kong and Miami.

IFPI's mission:

• Promote the value of recorded music
  
  
• Safeguard the rights of record producers
  
  
• Expand the commercial uses of recorded music
  
  

Who can be a member of IFPI?

Any company, firm or person producing sound recordings or music videos which are made available to the public in reasonable quantities is eligible for membership of IFPI. For further information about membership click here.

What are IFPI's main activities, internationally and regionally?

IFPI is responsible for co-ordinating international strategies in the key areas of the organisation's work - anti-piracy enforcement, lobbying of governments and representation in international organisations, legal strategies, litigation and public relations. It is also the recording industry's most authoritative source of market research and information, providing a comprehensive range of global industry statistics.

IFPI's regional offices for Asia, Europe and Latin America are responsible for implementing IFPI's strategies at regional level, co-ordinating the work of national groups and setting lobbying priorities tailored to the political environment in their regions.

IFPI's office in Brussels is the recording industry's representation to the European Union. It interacts directly with the EU institutions and coordinates the industry's representation throughout Europe. IFPI's Regional Office for Asia is located in Hong Kong, with additional offices in China and Singapore. It co-ordinates the region's lobbying activities and legal strategies. IFPI Latin America, has an executive office in Miami and co-ordinates the region's lobbying, anti-piracy and communication activities.

International structure

IFPI represents its members at three levels - international, regional and national.Internationally IFPI works directly with industry committees in areas such as legal policy and performing rights.

At the regional level, the organisation's work is split between Asia, Europe and, as from January 2000, Latin America (formerly Federacion Latinoamericana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas, or FLAPF). IFPI's regional offices report to a regional board of directors comprising the heads of multinational and independent record companies and Chairmen of National Groups. Representatives of the regional boards, both multinationals and independents, also sit on IFPI's Main Board.

IFPI also acts as an umbrella organisation for its National Groups and affiliated industry associations that are based in 56 countries around the world - both through its international and regional offices. IFPI National Groups report to industry Boards in their own territories, but they also collaborate closely at regional level under the coordination of IFPI's regional offices. Directors and Chairmen of the National Groups sit on the IFPI Regional Boards.

There is, in addition, an IFPI Worldwide Enforcement Structure, formed in 1997 as a direct response to the global proliferation of CD piracy. Enforcement activities are co-ordinated centrally from IFPI and through dedicated enforcement offices at regional level.

IFPI is affiliated with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the organisation responsible for the world's largest music market.