IRMA Logo

The Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) is the Irish record industry association.

IRMA is a non-profit association^[1] set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.

[edit] Roles and Responsibilities

• IRMA operates to promote and protect the welfare and interests of the Irish record industry. Specifically, IRMA is involved in lobbying to protect and enhance the interest of member companies and lobby to prevent illegal downloading of music content from local and international artists.^[2].

• In the past IRMA have organized "The IRMA Honours" an awards ceremony which honours the life work of Ireland's leading musicians and people who have influence the Irish music industry. Past recipents include Bob Geldof^[3],Larry Gogan and Christy Moore.

• IRMA also compile and manage the official music charts for the Republic of Ireland. These include: Top 75 Albums, Top 50 Singles, Top 10 Classical Albums, Top 10 Dance Singles, Top 20 Multi-Artist Compilation Albums, Top 30 Videos, Top 20 DVDs and Top 10 Music DVDS.

• On April 12, 2005 the asscociation began to take legal action against "serial filesharers" in Ireland who illegally distribute music on the internet. On November 15, 2005 the IRMA began "Phase II" of its plan to battle filesharing.

• Only Irish companies can become members of the IRMA. All members pay a yearly fee based on company size. Currently, the IRMA has 51 member companies.

• In the mid-1990s IRMA presented the IRMA Music Awards. These have been replaced by the annual music awards show Meteor Ireland Music Awards.

[edit] Filesharing Controversy

IRMA and Eircom reached an agreement over file sharing which uses a third-party organisation to monitor Eircom users for downloading of pirated music.^[4] The agreed system was reported to use a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" system.^[4] The agreement was criticised by Digital Rights Ireland and IrelandOffline.^[4][5]

The association sent solicitors letters to several organisations, including hosting service Blacknight Solutions, whose MD, Michele Neylon, made the copy sent to his company publicly available on the company site.^[6] Although Blacknight Solutions isn't an ISP they still received the letter, which stated in the event of a positive response to this letter it is proposed to make practical arrangements with Blacknight of a like nature to those made with eircom.^[6][7]

Protests against the actions of IRMA are being organised by Digital Rights Ireland, as well as Blackout Ireland.^[7]

[edit] Board member companies

The recording companies and other music related companies that are on the IRMA members board are:

• Warner Music Ireland
• Sony Music Ireland
• RMG Chart Entertainment
• Independent Records
• EMI Ireland
• Universal Music Ireland
• Reekus Records

[edit] The IRMA trust

In 1997 the IRMA set up a trust, with Phonographic Performance (Ireland) Limited, with the aim to enhance the opportunities for young people who want to pursue a career in music. The trusts main initiative is the Instrument Bank, which provides music instruments to young people, particularly to young people who live in disadvantaged communities throughout Ireland.

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.irma.ie/index2.htm
2. ^ http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/is-censorship-the-order-of-the-day-in-protecting-the-music-industry-1653919.html
3. ^ http://www.irma.ie/irma_honours.htm
4. ^ ^{a b c} Specialists to police music downloads, John Collins, The Irish Times, 6 February 2009, accessed 27 February 2009
5. ^ Lobby group calls for stop to censorship plans, Marie Boran, Silicon Republic, 26 February 2009, retrieved 27 February 2009
6. ^ ^{a b} IRMA warning letter goes public, Ralph Averbuch, ENN.ie, 26 February 2009, retrieved on 27 February 2009
7. ^ ^{a b} Music industry pushing for internet filtering as well as “three strikes” - what can you do about it?

[edit] See also

• Record industry

[edit] External links

• IRMA Home Page
• IRMA Irish Chart Website
• Chart Track.com
• Sony Music Ireland
• EMI Music Ireland
• Warner Music Ireland
• Independent Records
• Reekus Records
• RMG Chart Entertainment