2017 NAICS Definition

T = Canadian, Mexican, and United States industries are comparable.

512250 Record Production and Distribution

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production (e.g., tapes, CDs) and/or releasing, promoting, and distributing sound recordings to wholesalers, retailers, or directly to the public. These establishments contract with artists, arrange and finance the production of original master recordings, and/or produce master recordings themselves, such as audio tapes/cassettes and compact discs. Establishments in this industry hold the copyright to the master recording, or obtain reproduction and distribution rights to master recordings produced by others, and derive most of their revenues from the sales, leasing, licensing, or distribution of master recordings.

Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
  • Promoting and authorizing the use of musical works in various media--are classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
  • Providing facilities and technical expertise for recording musical performances--are classified in Industry 512240, Sound Recording Studios;
  • Mass duplication of recorded products--are classified in U.S. Industry 334614, Software and Other Prerecorded Compact Disc, Tape, and Record Reproducing;
  • Merchant wholesale distribution of blank audio cassettes, tapes, and discs--are classified in Industry 423690, Other Electronic Parts and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers;
  • Merchant wholesale distribution of prerecorded audio cassettes, tapes, and discs--are classified in Industry 423990, Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers;
  • Retailing records, tapes, and compact discs without producing recordings--are classified in Sector 44-45, Retail Trade;
  • Managing the careers of artists--are classified in Industry 711410, Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures; and
  • Producing albums on contract as independent producers--are classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
2007
NAICS		   2012
NAICS		   2017
NAICS		   Corresponding Index
Entries
512220   512220   512250   Integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting, distributing)
512220   512220   512250   Integrated record production and distribution
512210   512210   512250   Master recording leasing and licensing
512220   512220   512250   Musical recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing
512220   512220   512250   Prerecorded audio tapes and compact discs integrated manufacture, release, and distribution
512210   512210   512250   Record producers (except independent)
512210   512210   512250   Record production (except independent record producers) without duplication or distribution
512220   512220   512250   Record releasing, promoting, and distributing combined with mass duplication
512220   512220   512250   Sound recording, integrated production, reproduction, release, and distribution
512220   512220   512250   Sound recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing