Introducing PPL

PPL is proud to partner with SMIA in support of the SAY Award 2018

Introducing Have you performed on commercially released music?

Do you own a record label?

If yes, then you should know what PPL does.

Established in 1934, PPL is the UK music industry’s music licensing company which licenses recorded music to be played in public or broadcast (including online). We do this on behalf of over 100,000 performers and recording rightsholders (record companies).

PPL has a large and diverse membership. We represent both independent and major record companies, together with performers ranging from emerging grassroots artists through to established session musicians and influential festival headliners – all of whom are legally entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their work.

PPL also operates an International service, used by many of its members. Through 90 agreements (to date) with music licensing companies globally, PPL is able to collect licensing revenue from the use of its members’ recorded music around the world. Under these agreements with other music licensing companies, PPL also acts on behalf of their members to collect their UK licensing revenue.

Benefits of joining PPL • It is free to register • You will receive support from our expert Member Services team • We provide you with your own secure online myPPL account to manage your details, your repertoire and view your payments • You will receive the latest news via our monthly newsletter • We give you access to our dedicated member-only events

PPL is committed to delivering a first-class service to all its members. It is free to become a member and, after the deduction of PPL’s operating costs, the revenue collected by PPL is distributed to the record companies and performers it represents.

Royalty allocations are based on information about the music used by licensees and the data contained in PPL’s repertoire database. This helps to maximise the royalties paid through to members whilst also ensuring we deliver a high level of service through a helpful and dedicated Member Services team, available 9am-6pm every working day.

PPL’s repertoire database is one of the most comprehensive and accurate in the world and it is continually evolving. With details of over 12 million recordings covered by PPL’s licences, we are able to help ensure performers are linked to their repertoire and support record companies with managing their recordings. We help with the heavy lifting so that our members don’t have to.

Once your PPL registration is complete, you will be able to access your secure online myPPL account. This is your own online account where you can manage your account details, register your recordings and view your payments online.

You will also be invited to our regular member events (#PPLinSession) where you can meet our dedicated team of member specialists in person and learn more about what we do and discuss your account with PPL staff.

Become a PPL member if you have performed on, own or control rights to recorded music!

To complete your registration form click here

How to register with PPL It is easy to register online to become a performer or recording rightsholder member with PPL. To complete your registration form click here

How PPL generates revenue for its members

Who can join PPL To become a recording rightsholder (record company) member, you must own or exclusively control the UK public performance and broadcasting rights in at least one sound recording. On joining, you grant PPL these rights to license your recorded music on your behalf.

Anyone who has performed on that recorded music can register with PPL as a performer member and you could already be entitled to royalties if it has generated PPL income!

You can find out if you can become a performer, or recording rightsholder member, by visiting our website. You may be able to register as a recording rightsholder and performer if you are a self-releasing artist.

PPL has three main sources of revenue, which is then distributed to members.

• Radio, TV, online and music supplier licensing PPL licenses TV and radio broadcasters to play recorded music as part of their programming, from the BBC, ITV, Channel4, Five and Sky to commercial radio networks such as Capital, Smooth Scotland and Absolute Radio, as well as some online services.

PPL also licenses music suppliers to copy recorded music for services such as in-store music systems, jukeboxes, compilations for exercise classes and inflight entertainment systems.

• Public performance licensing Since February 2018, the licensing of recorded music when it is played in public is being carried out on behalf of PPL (and PRS for Music) by PPL PRS Ltd, a joint venture between PPL and PRS for Music. PPL PRS Ltd issuing licences to hundreds of thousands of businesses and organisations from all sectors across the UK playing recorded music and/or music videos in public. These can range from bars, nightclubs, shops and hotels to offices, factories, gyms, schools, universities and local authorities. PPL then distributes the licence fees collected on its behalf by PPL PRS Ltd. • International collections PPL's network of agreements with international music licensing companies enables us to collect royalties for the use of recordings and performances in more than 40 countries around the world. To date, PPL has collected over £355 million in global performance royalties since 2006 and we are a global leader in international collections.

August 2018

The difference between PPL and PRS for Music PPL and PRS for Music both license the use of music and collect royalties for the music industry, but each represents different rightsholders and have separate licences and terms (although we undertake some licensing jointly).

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.

You can find out more information on PPL by visiting the website www.ppluk.com, or by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn via the links below.