Phonographic Performance Limited

What is PPL and why should you become a member? Anna Wynne, ISM Advice & Information Officer, explains

Anna Wynne, ISM Advice & Information Officer Photo: Yvonne Thompson If you are a performer, or someone who owns rights in recordings of music, you may already have heard of an organisation called Phonographic Performance Limited, usually known as PPL. In this feature we explain what PPL does, and why, if you perform on recordings or own rights in sound recordings, you should become a PPL member. Founded in 1934, PPL is a collective copyright management organisation, which collects and distributes royalties to its members for their involvement in music recordings. PPL collects royalties by licensing the use of recorded music to radio stations, TV broadcasters and certain online services. Revenue from the licence money is collected from broadcasters in the UK and also from around the world via international agreements with collective management organisations (CMOs) worldwide. PPL has over 100 agreements in place across 46 countries. In contrast, PRS for Music provides licences for the use of written material by songwriters, composers and music publishers. As part of the drive to modernise and simplify copyright licensing for consumers and businesses, PPL and PRS for Music teamed up in 2018 to create PPL PRS Ltd and launched ‘TheMusicLicence’. PPL and PRS for Music continue to operate independently but created TheMusicLicence so that businesses or organisations playing recorded music on their premises could cover everything with a single licence. The licence allows businesses and organisations to play music legally in public settings, including live or via the radio, TV or other digital devices.

Why should I become a member of PPL?

If you are a performer and regularly perform on recordings, you may be entitled to royalties. By becoming a member of PPL you can receive ‘equitable remuneration’, which might be owed where you have participated on a recording registered with PPL. Under these circumstances, you would join as a ‘performer member’ where you have a ‘qualifying performance’ on a registered recording. A qualifying performance includes any audible contributions but can encompass performances by conductors and studio producers too. Alternatively, you may be entitled to join as a ‘recording rightsholder member’ where you own or hold an exclusive licence to at least one recording expressly made to sell or distribute to the public. Many members make their own recordings of their performances, and own rights in both. You can join PPL in both capacities, if necessary. You can read about some of the many benefits of PPL membership at ppluk.com/membership/whybecome-a-member/. PPL has developed online tools for you to manage your account easily.

ISM membership – set up a Direct Debit to save money

Take the hassle out of renewing your membership by setting up an annual Direct Debit. Your ISM membership will automatically renew every year and you won’t have to contact us unless you wish to cancel or change your payment method. If you are a full member, you will get £10 off your membership fee if you pay by annual Direct Debit. It’s quick and easy to set up Direct Debit payments. Simply log in at ism.org/direct-debit, call us on 020 72213499 or email membership@ism.org

How does PPL allocate and pay royalties?

Where recordings are played in public, the statutory right of ‘equitable remuneration’ gives performers the right to claim payment for their performances in commercially published sound recordings from the owners of copyright. PPL pays its performer members in relation to sound recordings which are owned by PPL or controlled through its record company members. Royalties are distributed after PPL has deducted any relevant costs. PPL has an extensive database which holds and manages information for over 15 million sound recordings. The database includes details about who owns the recordings and which performers have performed on those recordings, so that relevant payments can be distributed. There is further information about PPL’s Distribution Rules on its website: ppluk.com. You can also find details of when royalties are scheduled to be paid on PPL’s website. What do I need to do to become a member?

Membership is free. All you need to show is that you have performed on recordings over the years. You can sign up online by pressing the ‘Join PPL’ button on their website. This will take you through a series of steps. You need to make sure that you keep your details up to date so PPL can continue to pay you royalties if you are owed any.

Further information

Visit ppluk.com or contact PPL’s Member Services team on 020 8068 1054 or memberservices@ppluk.com.