RIAA And AFIM Strengthen Partnership For 2003

WHASINGTON (RIAA) - The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Association for Independent Music (AFIM) today announced a renewal of their commitment to work together on common interests. The RIAA continues to support AFIM's mission financially as well as to foster joint programs and work together on issues of mutual concern, such as combating music piracy, radio consolidation, negotiating webcasting rates to fairly compensate artists for their works, international intellectual property protection and the parental advisory program.
"Working more closely with the independent music community this past year benefited the entire music industry during this cirtical time," said Hilary Rosen, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA. "We have more to do together now than ever, to address the critical issues of piracy and the digital transition."
"We are pleased to continue working closely with the RIAA. Renewing this partnership is vital to the continued success of the independent music community," said Courtney Proffitt, Executive Director of AFIM.

The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA membes create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States.

AFIM is the premier professional trade organization of the independent music community in North America. Its members include independent labels, artists, distributors and suppliers. Founded in 1972 as NAIRD (the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and Manufacturers), the organization has grown from primarily a distributor group to encompass all aspects of the independent music business world.