Navigating Global Regulations and Serving Our International Audience
At Century Records, we are committed to providing our artists and listeners with the best possible service, regardless of geographic location. As a U.S.-based company, however, we are subject to U.S. laws and regulations that restrict our ability to conduct business in certain countries. This transparency article aims to clarify these limitations and outline how we continue to serve our international audience within these constraints.
U.S. Sanctions and Restrictions:
The U.S. government, primarily through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, imposes sanctions and restrictions on certain countries, entities, and individuals. These sanctions are implemented for various reasons, including:
National security concerns: Preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, combating terrorism, and addressing cybersecurity threats.
Foreign policy objectives: Promoting democracy, human rights, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
Combating illicit activities: Targeting drug trafficking, money laundering, and other criminal enterprises.
As a result of these sanctions, Century Records is legally prohibited from engaging in most business transactions with individuals and entities in comprehensively sanctioned countries. Currently, this includes, but is not limited to:
North Korea: Broad sanctions due to its nuclear weapons program and human rights record.
Iran: Comprehensive sanctions related to its nuclear program and support for terrorism.
Syria: Sanctions related to the ongoing conflict and human rights abuses.
Cuba (with exceptions): While the situation regarding Cuba is evolving, there are still significant restrictions on business transactions.
Crimea region of Ukraine, Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic regions of Ukraine: Sanctions due to the ongoing conflict.
It's crucial to understand that these sanctions are dynamic and subject to change. OFAC regularly updates its list of sanctioned countries, entities, and individuals. Century Records maintains a robust compliance program to ensure we adhere to all applicable regulations.
Why These Restrictions Matter:
These restrictions are not arbitrary. They are designed to exert economic pressure on governments or entities that engage in activities deemed harmful by the U.S. government. Violating these sanctions can result in severe penalties for Century Records, including fines, legal action, and reputational damage.
Serving Our Global Audience Within Legal Constraints:
While we cannot directly conduct business in comprehensively sanctioned countries, we remain committed to serving our global audience. Here's how:
Digital Distribution: Where possible, our music is available through global digital platforms that operate within the legal frameworks of their respective regions. We encourage our listeners in sanctioned countries to explore these platforms for access to our artists' music, as long as using these platforms does not violate local or international laws.
Global Streaming Platforms: Our music remains available on major streaming platforms that operate internationally. We encourage listeners to utilize these services where available and legally permissible.
Indirect Support: We continue to support our artists and their music on a global scale through promotional efforts, online presence, and engagement with international media outlets.
Advocacy for Cultural Exchange: We believe in the power of music to bridge cultural divides and promote understanding. We actively support initiatives that foster cultural exchange and artistic collaboration, even in challenging geopolitical environments, within the bounds of the law.
Staying informed: We continually monitor and update our policies to comply with all changes to international sanctions. We work with legal experts to ensure we are always operating within the law.
Transparency and Communication:
We understand that these restrictions may create challenges for some of our listeners and artists. We are committed to transparency and open communication. We will continue to provide updates on any changes to our policies and procedures.
We appreciate your understanding and continued support of Century Records. We remain dedicated to bringing you the best music from around the world, while adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.
