AFI, the Italian Association of Phonographic Producers, represents and protects the interests of Small and Medium companies of music and video producers, by managing and distributing the neighboring rights due them by law (complying with the criteria and the standard set by ISO 9001: 2000 n°4377 Certification) and promoting their activities in Italy and abroad.
AFI’s primary role is to protect and preserve the Italian musical culture, by defending its value and encouraging its support at the national and Community level.
AFI was established on the 14th November 1933 in Rome, where some major record companies, headed by the Italian Ricordi, founded the Italian Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Later on the activity was suspended due to the advent of the World War II.
A.F.I. - the Italian Association of Phonographic Producers - will be finally set up on the 1st October 1948, thanks to the initiative of seven Italian companies: La Voce del Padrone – Columbia – Marconi – Phone Spa, La Fonit , La C.E.T.R.A., Carish S.A., Durium S.A., A.C.E.R. S.A., Fonotecnica.
In the ’50s, AFI signs its first contract with RAI (the Italian public broadcasting service) for the utilization of phonograms in television. During the ’60s, AFI is strongly committed in activities aiming at protecting its members and the Italian music and, in 1973 A.F.I. is at the forefront in order to obtain the inclusion of the sound recordings among the cultural products eligible for a VAT reduced rate. In 1976 AFI and SIAE endorse their first standard agreement for the exploitation of the copyrighted repertoire managed by BIEM (International Organisation representing Mechanical Rights Societies).
During this period, following the deployment of new media and following the enter into force, in Italy, of the Rome’s Convention (International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations) AFI is strongly committed in the negotiations aiming at granting to phonographic producers their public performance rights.
Further on, AFI also promotes technical training activities targeted to its members and to their staff.
In the following years, in cooperation with SIAE (Italian Authors and Publishers Society) AFI is active in the development of anti piracy policies and in the fights against illegal use of music and creative content.
Despite the significant acknowledgments achieved, as soon as the music market begins to falter, the internal conflict between multinational companies and independent producers becomes increasingly unmanageable.
Thus, in May 1992 the multinational companies decide to leave A.F.I and to found their own association: FIMI (Federation of Italian Music Industry). Since that time, AFI is committed in the protection of independent producers’ rights and in promoting political and economical strategies aiming at increasing, in Italy and abroad, the market's share of Italian music.
In 1999, AFI and SIAE strengthen their cooperation by planning shared actions on behalf of phonographic producers and artists and joint initiatives in the on-line music and anti-piracy sector.
In 2000 A.F.I. launches the first experimental license for music streaming in the web and signs an agreement with RNA (Association representing the main Italian private radio networks) for the collection of producers’ equitable remuneration and for the promotion of new talents and new music productions.
In 2001 A.F.I. makes an agreement with FIMI for the acknowledgement of their respective representatives within Confindustria (the Federation representing the Italian Manufacturing and Services Companies).
In the same year, record companies' Associations and RAI TV uphold a closer collaboration thanks to the action carried out by the Musical Observatory, founded in 2000 upon initiative of AFI, FIMI and RAI.
In 2002 A.F.I. inaugurates its European office in Brussels, set up with the aim of increasing the relations between the Association and the European Union Institutions and of fostering the adoption of policies and legislative initiatives supporting small and medium-seized audiovisual companies and their creative content.
In the same year, AFI and FIPI - The International Federation of Independent Producers- hold professional training courses, supported by the Lombardia Region and financed by the European Social Fund supplied to the music and entertainment sector.
In 2003 AFI welcomes the Italian transposition of the EU Directive 29/01 “on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society” adopted in Europe also thanks to AFI's contribution in the lobbying action on behalf of music’s stakeholders and right holders.
In 2003, AFI obtains the UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification by EQA (European Quality Assurance Limited), for the professional training courses FSE and the rights collection activities. The certification qualifies AFI’s role in the participation in projects funded by the Lombardia Region and by the European Commission and ensures that AFI rights management's system is fit for its purposes and meets the ISO’s required criteria.
In 2004, AFI founds EMCA (European Music Copyright Alliance), an alliance of European organizations representing authors, producers and artists’ rights, whose primary goal is to promote awareness campaigns on the value of creativity targeted to young people and schools.
In 2004 AFI is partner of AXMEDIS (Automating Production of Cross Media Content for Multi-channel Distribution) a four year project co-funded by the European Commission under the Information Society Technologies program (IST DG-INFSO) of the 6th Framework Program (www.axmedis.org).
In 2005, AFI is among signatory members of the “Sanremo Pact” promoted by the Ministry of Innovation, together with the Ministry of the Culture and of the Telecommunications for the adoption, among all stakeholders, of self-regulation codes in the context of the digital world
In the same year AFI and FIMI decide to join their forces within Confindustria and to defend the interests of the Italian music companies through a joint representative.
Further on in 2005, AFI FIMI, SCF, PMI, IMAIE and SIAE sign an agreement in order to share the participation to international fairs under the common umbrella of “ITALIA IN MUSICA”.
In 2005, AFI joins CAPI - European Federation of Composers, Authors, Producers and Interpreters - committed to strengthen intellectual property rights and to promote the respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and for those involved in creativity; During the same year, following EQA assessment, AFI fits to the Regione Lombardia legislative provisions required for the certification of the Professional Training Courses (DGR 13083/2003 and D.D.G. 8498/2003).
In 2006 AFI is the founding member of SISTEMA CULTURA ITALIA, the Federation representing Italian cultural industries within Confindustria.
In 2006, AFI organizes its first National Convention which was attended by professionals of the music sector and experts of copyrights and new technologies; the event also hosted two entertainment evenings featuring nationally known performers and young artists broadcasted on RAI2 tv network.
In 2006, AFI renews the UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 Certification.
In 2007, AFI enters the Managing Committee of FPM (Musical Antipiracy Federation) to support the fight against music piracy and against unlawful downloading and sharing of copyrighted content.
In the same year AFI sets up a digital platform named AFI MUSIC with the aim of developing its own digital music database for the rights’ collection abroad and for a better exploitation of AFI catalogue through the new digital platforms.
Since 2008 AFI makes use of a database enabling a more efficient and prompt management of its members’ administrative data.
In 2008, AFI attends the Popkomm in Berlin and organizes several events and initiatives in celebration of the 60° anniversary of its foundation. (MIDEM 2008; SANREMO 2008; publication of the Market research “Young people and the on-line Music” in collaboration with Cierre).
In 2008 and 2009, thanks to activities carried out in Brussels, AFI is very active in lobbying to European Parliament and Commission as well as in the relation with the Representation of Italy to the European Union; at the same time AFI strengthens the cooperation with sister collecting societies of other countries and signs an agreement with SIMIM and IMAGIA for the collection in Belgium of the neighboring rights due to its members.
In 2009, AFI enhances its promotional activities thanks to a brand new web site (providing information about its companies and their music releases, updated news about its activities and current topics as well as a section with national and international copyright laws) and to a more effective advertising campaign in “Musica & Dischi”, the Italian most important music magazine.
In 2009, AFI entrusts SIAE with the mandate to act on behalf of its members for the collections of neighboring rights ensuing from the public performance of recorded music in dancing halls and public premises.
In 2009, AFI signs several agreements with foreign collecting societies, in order to collect abroad the rights of its members..
AFI was established on the 14th November 1933 in Rome, where some major record companies, headed by the Italian Ricordi, founded the Italian Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Later on the activity was suspended due to the advent of the World War II.
A.F.I. - the Italian Association of Phonographic Producers - will be finally set up on the 1st October 1948, thanks to the initiative of seven Italian companies: La Voce del Padrone – Columbia – Marconi – Phone Spa, La Fonit , La C.E.T.R.A., Carish S.A., Durium S.A., A.C.E.R. S.A., Fonotecnica.
In the ’50s, AFI signs its first contract with RAI (the Italian public broadcasting service) for the utilization of phonograms in television. During the ’60s, AFI is strongly committed in activities aiming at protecting its members and the Italian music and, in 1973 A.F.I. is at the forefront in order to obtain the inclusion of the sound recordings among the cultural products eligible for a VAT reduced rate. In 1976 AFI and SIAE endorse their first standard agreement for the exploitation of the copyrighted repertoire managed by BIEM (International Organisation representing Mechanical Rights Societies).
During this period, following the deployment of new media and following the enter into force, in Italy, of the Rome’s Convention (International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations) AFI is strongly committed in the negotiations aiming at granting to phonographic producers their public performance rights.
Further on, AFI also promotes technical training activities targeted to its members and to their staff.
In the following years, in cooperation with SIAE (Italian Authors and Publishers Society) AFI is active in the development of anti piracy policies and in the fights against illegal use of music and creative content.
Despite the significant acknowledgments achieved, as soon as the music market begins to falter, the internal conflict between multinational companies and independent producers becomes increasingly unmanageable.
Thus, in May 1992 the multinational companies decide to leave A.F.I and to found their own association: FIMI (Federation of Italian Music Industry). Since that time, AFI is committed in the protection of independent producers’ rights and in promoting political and economical strategies aiming at increasing, in Italy and abroad, the market's share of Italian music.
In 1999, AFI and SIAE strengthen their cooperation by planning shared actions on behalf of phonographic producers and artists and joint initiatives in the on-line music and anti-piracy sector.
In 2000 A.F.I. launches the first experimental license for music streaming in the web and signs an agreement with RNA (Association representing the main Italian private radio networks) for the collection of producers’ equitable remuneration and for the promotion of new talents and new music productions.
In 2001 A.F.I. makes an agreement with FIMI for the acknowledgement of their respective representatives within Confindustria (the Federation representing the Italian Manufacturing and Services Companies).
In the same year, record companies' Associations and RAI TV uphold a closer collaboration thanks to the action carried out by the Musical Observatory, founded in 2000 upon initiative of AFI, FIMI and RAI.
In 2002 A.F.I. inaugurates its European office in Brussels, set up with the aim of increasing the relations between the Association and the European Union Institutions and of fostering the adoption of policies and legislative initiatives supporting small and medium-seized audiovisual companies and their creative content.
In the same year, AFI and FIPI - The International Federation of Independent Producers- hold professional training courses, supported by the Lombardia Region and financed by the European Social Fund supplied to the music and entertainment sector.
In 2003 AFI welcomes the Italian transposition of the EU Directive 29/01 “on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society” adopted in Europe also thanks to AFI's contribution in the lobbying action on behalf of music’s stakeholders and right holders.
In 2003, AFI obtains the UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 certification by EQA (European Quality Assurance Limited), for the professional training courses FSE and the rights collection activities. The certification qualifies AFI’s role in the participation in projects funded by the Lombardia Region and by the European Commission and ensures that AFI rights management's system is fit for its purposes and meets the ISO’s required criteria.
In 2004, AFI founds EMCA (European Music Copyright Alliance), an alliance of European organizations representing authors, producers and artists’ rights, whose primary goal is to promote awareness campaigns on the value of creativity targeted to young people and schools.
In 2004 AFI is partner of AXMEDIS (Automating Production of Cross Media Content for Multi-channel Distribution) a four year project co-funded by the European Commission under the Information Society Technologies program (IST DG-INFSO) of the 6th Framework Program (www.axmedis.org).
In 2005, AFI is among signatory members of the “Sanremo Pact” promoted by the Ministry of Innovation, together with the Ministry of the Culture and of the Telecommunications for the adoption, among all stakeholders, of self-regulation codes in the context of the digital world
In the same year AFI and FIMI decide to join their forces within Confindustria and to defend the interests of the Italian music companies through a joint representative.
Further on in 2005, AFI FIMI, SCF, PMI, IMAIE and SIAE sign an agreement in order to share the participation to international fairs under the common umbrella of “ITALIA IN MUSICA”.
In 2005, AFI joins CAPI - European Federation of Composers, Authors, Producers and Interpreters - committed to strengthen intellectual property rights and to promote the respect for the diversity of cultural expressions and for those involved in creativity; During the same year, following EQA assessment, AFI fits to the Regione Lombardia legislative provisions required for the certification of the Professional Training Courses (DGR 13083/2003 and D.D.G. 8498/2003).
In 2006 AFI is the founding member of SISTEMA CULTURA ITALIA, the Federation representing Italian cultural industries within Confindustria.
In 2006, AFI organizes its first National Convention which was attended by professionals of the music sector and experts of copyrights and new technologies; the event also hosted two entertainment evenings featuring nationally known performers and young artists broadcasted on RAI2 tv network.
In 2006, AFI renews the UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 Certification.
In 2007, AFI enters the Managing Committee of FPM (Musical Antipiracy Federation) to support the fight against music piracy and against unlawful downloading and sharing of copyrighted content.
In the same year AFI sets up a digital platform named AFI MUSIC with the aim of developing its own digital music database for the rights’ collection abroad and for a better exploitation of AFI catalogue through the new digital platforms.
Since 2008 AFI makes use of a database enabling a more efficient and prompt management of its members’ administrative data.
In 2008, AFI attends the Popkomm in Berlin and organizes several events and initiatives in celebration of the 60° anniversary of its foundation. (MIDEM 2008; SANREMO 2008; publication of the Market research “Young people and the on-line Music” in collaboration with Cierre).
In 2008 and 2009, thanks to activities carried out in Brussels, AFI is very active in lobbying to European Parliament and Commission as well as in the relation with the Representation of Italy to the European Union; at the same time AFI strengthens the cooperation with sister collecting societies of other countries and signs an agreement with SIMIM and IMAGIA for the collection in Belgium of the neighboring rights due to its members.
In 2009, AFI enhances its promotional activities thanks to a brand new web site (providing information about its companies and their music releases, updated news about its activities and current topics as well as a section with national and international copyright laws) and to a more effective advertising campaign in “Musica & Dischi”, the Italian most important music magazine.
In 2009, AFI entrusts SIAE with the mandate to act on behalf of its members for the collections of neighboring rights ensuing from the public performance of recorded music in dancing halls and public premises.
In 2009, AFI signs several agreements with foreign collecting societies, in order to collect abroad the rights of its members..
Copyright Afi 2009