Performing Rights in a Musical Composition and PRS

In the UK the Performing Rights Society (PRS) administers performing rights on behalf of its composer and publisher members and collects royalties on their behalf. The collection of royalties is arranged by issuing licenses to those wishing to stage live performance of music works or broadcast recordings of music works in public. )Please bear in mind that PRS are licensing the public performance of the composition, not the particular recording of that composition - icensing of public performance of recordings is controlled by PPL)

It is the performance venue that has to apply for this PRS license, not the performing artist. This accounts for all the PRS stickers that you can see in pub windows and hairdressers where the juke box or radio counts as a public performance of the work. These licenses are generally very cheap but proper music venues pay more depending upon the size of the audience and frequency of performance. Broadcasters like television and radio stations can pay very large costs for their PRS licenses, again depending upon the size of the audience and how much music output is involved.

As a result performers of works (musicians, DJ's) need not worry about breaching performing rights since it is the venue in which they perform that needs to ensure it is licensed properly. The only exception to this would be a major music performance event happening in a location that does not normally hold musical events:- an outside performance in a large marquee to an audience of several hundred would be a good example. Another example is the use of a large sports arena where no previous musical events have been performed and so there is a likelihood that no PRS license has previously been obtained.

This is only the briefest outline of the regulations.

Should you require further information, please visit the PRS website at:

www.prs.co.uk

MCPS-PRS Alliance
Copyright House
29-33 Berners Street
London
W1T 3AB

Telephone 020 7580 5544

Disclaimer

Copysound Ltd makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information given above but can accept no responsibility for any loss, however incurred, due to actions taken by any person, company or organisation as a result of reading the information given above. The information is given as guidance only and in the event of taking any decision that may lead to legal or commercial consequences, the reader should first consult with the proper authorities and / or their qualified legal adviser to ensure that they are working within the law.