copyright

If you're searching for music that you can use freely - without licences or fees - you're probably looking for something in the public domain. But when does music enter the public domain in the UK, and what should you watch out for? Here's a quick guide. . 

What does 'public domain' mean? 

When music enters the public domain, it’s no longer protected by copyright law. That means you can usually use, perform, and share it without needing permission or paying royalties. 

If you're planning to use music in a live performance, or online, it's important to check whether the song is copyrighted — and what that means for you. Here's a quick overview of how to find out. 

Is the piece still in copyright? 

In the UK, most music remains under copyright for 70 years after the death of the composer or lyricist. Some printed sheet music is also protected separately for 25 years from publication. 

Searching online for a 'music copyright checker' might seem like the easiest way to see if a song is copyrighted — but how reliable are these tools, really? Here's what you need to know before relying on them.

Can you check music copyright online? 

A quick search will bring up many 'copyright checker' websites. Some claim to tell you if a song is protected or safe to use. But in most cases: 

Thinking of uploading a recording of your music group to YouTube or another platform? It’s vital to understand your legal responsibilities when using copyrighted music online. While the internet makes it easy to share performances, the rules around music licensing still apply — and can catch you out if you’re not careful. 

Whether you're arranging a concert, uploading a performance online, or simply rehearsing with your group, music copyright is something you need to get right. This quick guide explains the basics - what it is, how long it lasts, and how it relates to licensing. 

Making an arrangement of a piece of music is fairly common practice among leisure-time music groups, but there are a number of things to consider before you can make one.

Some data

From our Big Survey 2022, we know performing groups commission at least 1430 arrangements each year. 

But we think this might be the tip of the iceberg and there is much more work being done by very skilled professionals.  

In this webinar expert guest speakers from PRS for Music explain the latest changes to its live classical tariff. Original webinar took place on Monday 12 June 2023.

PRS for Music recently announced the details of changes to its live classical licence, which come into effect for events held from 1 September. As part of the announced changes, a 50% discount is newly available to amateur groups, making it easier for communities across the UK to host events and concerts.

The role of the librarian is important for the smooth running of your group and doing it well can make a big difference.  You need systems to keep track of all the music whilst being flexible enough to cope with unexpected schedule changes, and the more disorganised members of your group who may forget or lose their music.  

The main responsibilities and challenges are: 

Sourcing music is vital to the efficient running of a music group. It normally falls to the librarian to do this and can involving obtaining music from a variety of sources.

In this resource, we’ll look at how and where you can find the music you need, and the things you need to think about when dealing with publishers and music libraries.