NAICS 512250 - Record Production and Distribution

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What is NAICS 512250

NAICS code 512250 covers businesses primarily involved in the production, promotion, and distribution of sound recordings. This includes companies that contract with artists, finance original master recordings, and distribute music in various formats such as digital files and compact discs. These establishments either hold copyrights or secure reproduction and distribution rights, deriving revenue from sales, leasing, licensing, or distribution of these master recordings. The sector is integral to the music and entertainment industry, blending creative production with commercial distribution channels. Government agencies contract these services to support cultural programs, public broadcasting, and educational initiatives that require access to licensed sound recordings for public use or archival purposes.

Industry Classification for NAICS 512250

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in record production 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 digital music 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.

Breakdown for NAICS 512250

  • Focuses on production and distribution of original and licensed sound recordings.
  • Includes securing copyrights and reproduction rights for master recordings.
  • Services encompass digital and physical formats such as CDs and streaming files.
  • Typical contract sizes range from small licensing deals to large production projects.
  • Government contracts support educational, cultural, and public media initiatives.

Included Activities for NAICS 512250

  • Contracting with artists for original sound recordings.
  • Financing and producing master recordings in various audio formats.
  • Promoting and marketing sound recordings to wholesalers and retailers.
  • Licensing sound recordings for public or commercial use.
  • Distributing recordings digitally and through physical media channels.
  • Managing copyright and reproduction rights for sound recordings.
  • Collaborating with government agencies to supply audio content.

Business Types for NAICS 512250

  • Record production companies
  • Music distribution firms
  • Audio licensing agencies
  • Independent music labels
  • Multimedia content producers

Subcategories for NAICS 512250

  • Integrated record companies (i.e., releasing, promoting, distributing)
  • Integrated record production and distribution
  • Master recording leasing and licensing
  • Musical recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing
  • Prerecorded audio tapes and compact discs integrated manufacture, release, and distribution
  • Record producers (except independent)
  • Record production (except independent record producers) without duplication or distribution
  • Record releasing, promoting, and distributing combined with mass duplication
  • Sound recording, integrated production, reproduction, release, and distribution
  • Sound recording, releasing, promoting, and distributing

Government Buyers for NAICS 512250

Government buyers typically include departments of education, cultural affairs offices, public broadcasting services, and libraries seeking licensed sound recordings for educational programming, public dissemination, or preservation. Military and veteran affairs departments may also procure these services for morale and welfare programs. Additionally, agencies involved in national heritage, public media, or grant-supported arts initiatives require professionally produced and legally compliant sound recordings to ensure accessibility and distribution rights are properly managed.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 512250

Contracts under NAICS 512250 commonly involve fixed-price agreements for production and distribution services, including licensing contracts for use of copyrighted materials. Procurement methods range from competitive bidding to sole-source contracts, particularly when specialized or original content is required. Contract values can vary widely depending on scope, from small licensing agreements to multimillion-dollar production and distribution deals supporting large-scale government media projects or public dissemination efforts.

Details for NAICS 512250

Explore the hierarchy and related codes for this industry

NAICS Code Industry Title
512 Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries
5121 Motion Picture and Video Industries
51211 Motion Picture and Video Production
512110 Motion Picture and Video Production
51212 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
512120 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
51213 Motion Picture and Video Exhibition
512131 Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins)
512132 Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
51219 Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
512191 Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services
512199 Other Motion Picture and Video Industries
5122 Sound Recording Industries
51223 Music Publishers
512230 Music Publishers
51224 Sound Recording Studios
512240 Sound Recording Studios
51225 Record Production and Distribution
512250 Current Record Production and Distribution
51229 Other Sound Recording Industries
512290 Other Sound Recording Industries
513 Publishing Industries
5131 Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
51311 Newspaper Publishers
513110 Newspaper Publishers
51312 Periodical Publishers
513120 Periodical Publishers
51313 Book Publishers
513130 Book Publishers
51314 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
513140 Directory and Mailing List Publishers
51319 Other Publishers
513191 Greeting Card Publishers
513199 All Other Publishers
5132 Software Publishers
51321 Software Publishers
513210 Software Publishers
516 Broadcasting and Content Providers
5161 Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations
51611 Radio Broadcasting Stations
516110 Radio Broadcasting Stations
51612 Television Broadcasting Stations
516120 Television Broadcasting Stations
5162 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
51621 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
516210 Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers
517 Telecommunications
5171 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)
51711 Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
517111 Wired Telecommunications Carriers
517112 Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)
51712 Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services
517121 Telecommunications Resellers
517122 Agents for Wireless Telecommunications Services
5174 Satellite Telecommunications
51741 Satellite Telecommunications
517410 Satellite Telecommunications
5178 All Other Telecommunications
51781 All Other Telecommunications
517810 All Other Telecommunications
518 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
5182 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
51821 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
519 Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
5192 Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services
51921 Libraries and Archives
519210 Libraries and Archives
51929 Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
519290 Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

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