What is the difference between a PRS and PPL licence?

PPL collects and distributes money on behalf of performers and record companies for the use of their recorded music. PRS for Music collects and distributes money on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers, for the use of their musical compositions and lyrics.

Is PRS and MCPS the same?

PRS for Music is made up of both PRS and MCPS. Both exist to ensure writers and publishers are paid fairly for their work, but they devote their time to different parts of the industry. MCPS collects and distributes mechanical royalties on behalf of their members.

Do I need both PPL and PRS licence?

You do not need a licence to play royalty-free music. Check if your business or organisation needs a licence on the PPL PRS website. The way you get a licence to play live or recorded music has changed. You now need a single licence from PPL PRS, instead of separate licences from PRS for Music and PPL.

Do I need MCPS and PRS?

We recommend that you join PRS when your music is broadcast on TV/radio, used online, or performed live. Joining MCPS is recommended when your music is commercially released by a record company, recorded and used by a radio/TV programme, an audio-visual or multimedia production or used online.

What does MCPS do in music?

MCPS is the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society, which collects royalties for works that are released by a record company, downloaded or reproduced onto a CD, DVD or LP. You may need to consider joining MCPS if your works are used this way.

How can I avoid paying PPL and PRS?

However the important to remember is that if you play only non-copyrighted music composed and performed by NON PRS PPL members then you do not have to pay any fees to PRS or PPL.

What is a MCPS Licence?

MCPS Production Music Production/Library music companies produce music for licensing into soundtracks for TV, film, advertising, radio, trailers and other media outlets. Get a Production Music Licence.

What is PRS music Licence?

A licence from PRS for Music covers the majority of copyright music being played, but there is some music which is not covered by your PRS for Music licence, or for which you do not require a PRS for Music licence. A licence from PRS for Music does not cover: Music which is out of copyright.

Who needs an MCPS licence?

Who needs to apply for an MCPS licence? The applicant needs to be whoever is going to be liable for payment of royalties. This would initially be the person or company who commissions the manufacture of the copies of the product.

What is a MCPS licence?

Who do MCPS collect royalties from?

PRS for Music is the home of the Performing Right Society (PRS) and the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society (MCPS). MCPS collects and distributes mechanical royalties to songwriters, composers and publishers when their works have been copied or reproduced.

Do I need an MCPS Licence?

Do you need a MCPS Licence if none of the copyright holders of the music used are MCPS Members, or the music is in the Public Domain? Yes. We need an Application For Licence form to be completed in all cases in order to assess the repertoire used and, if applicable, issue a Notification Of No Claim.