Performing rights and copyright | Page 2 | Making Music

Performing rights and copyright

PRS versus PPL

When your music group performs you may need a PRS for Music licence. Some groups may also need a PPL licence if they use recorded music, such as backing tracks. Understanding the difference between these two licences ensures your group stays compliant and pays the correct fees. 

PRS for Music vs PPL: Key differences 

Both PRS for Music and PPL ensure that musicians and music creators receive fair payment for their work, but they cover different rights: 

What music does PRS cover?

PRS for Music collects royalties for composers, songwriters, and publishers whenever their music is performed in public. But how do you know if a piece requires a PRS payment? This guide explains which types of music are covered, how PRS tracks usage, and when you might need a licence for arrangements or adaptations

What types of music require PRS payments? 

PRS covers copyrighted music, including: 

PRS licence cost

If your music group performs copyrighted music in public, you may need to pay PRS for Music fees. These fees help ensure that composers, songwriters, and publishers receive royalties for their work. The cost of a PRS licence depends on the type of performance, ticket sales and whether live or recorded music is used. 

This guide explains how PRS fees are calculated and what additional charges may apply. 

PRS licence fees for different types of performances 

PRS for Music applies different tariffs depending on the type of event: 

Do I need a PRS licence?

If your group performs music in public, you may need a PRS for Music licence to comply with copyright law. PRS for Music ensures that composers and publishers receive royalties when their music is played or performed. 

For amateur and leisure-time music groups, understanding when a PRS licence is required can help avoid unexpected costs or legal issues. 

When do leisure-time music groups need a PRS licence? 

Your group will likely need a PRS for Music licence if you perform copyrighted music in public. This includes: 

What is PRS for Music

PRS for Music is the UK organisation that ensures composers and music publishers receive royalties when their music is played or performed in public. Whether it’s a live concert or a rehearsal open to the public, PRS for Music helps to ensure that music creators are fairly paid for their work. 

If your group performs music in public, understanding PRS is essential to ensure you comply with licensing rules. 

PRS Self-assessment tool

As part of your membership with Making Music, depending on whether you have a licence and where you performed, you might be able to pay PRS fees through us. Even if you don’t need to pay through us, you still need to make a declaration. Use this page to help you decide what you need to do.

We are currently collecting PRS fees for performances that took place between 1 November 2023 and 31 October 2024

Arranging music - permissions

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.  

Making the most of your Making Music membership (online event)

 

Your Making music membership offers a wealth of benefits. They are designed to support you running your music group, to save time, effort and money, as well as offer ideas and inspiration.

But are you making the most of your membership? In this event we will explain what you have access to - and how we can help.

We'll talk about some of the main benefits:

Location

ONLINE
United Kingdom
GB

Getting to grips with PRS and copyright (online event)

The topic we receive the most queries about is PRS. What is PRS, how do you pay it and just why is it so complicated?

In this session, we’ll clear up some of the mysteries and help you to understand how, when and where you need to make your PRS payments, and what you need to consider when performing live, sharing sheet music and broadcasting performances online. We'll also explain the new classical music tariff, and the 50% discount for leisure time music groups.

We'll talk about:

Location

ONLINE
United Kingdom
GB

Webinar recording: Where do I find sheet music, and at what price?

In this recording of our webinar (original event 8 March 2024), we talked about the options available to members for sourcing sheet music.