Live Music Venues - Frequently Asked Questions
Is a PRS Music Licence required by law?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 means that if you use copyright music in public, you must first obtain the permission from every writer or composer whose music you or hirers of your venue intend to play. PRS Music Licence grants you the legal permission to play just about any copyright music which is written and published by our members and those of our affiliated societies worldwide.
Does this section apply to you?
This section applies to you if you run and market your premises as a live music venue, e.g. people usually come to your venue primarily to listen to live music and they would not normally gain access to your venue without passing by a box office or via any type of ticketing system. Therefore this section does not apply to pubs and nightclubs which may feature live music but are run and marketed as a pub or nightclub.
How can PRS help me as a music venue?
- You will have a hotline direct to the music experts.
- You will be able to take advantage of the variable price mechanism based on a percentage of copyright music as a proportion of the programme at classical music events. This rate must be applied for annually, at the anniversary of the licence.
- You will only be charged for PRS controlled music. For book musicals, operas and ballets, you can contact the PRS Concert Sales Centre who will assist in advising you which publisher you should contact to get clearance.
- You will have direct control over your music budget.
- There is even the chance of a discount (under certain circumstances).
- You can choose a suitable billing period (monthly, quarterly or six monthly in arrears).
How are PRS charges assessed?
PRS publishes over 40 public performance tariffs, appropriate to the different categories of premises and types of performances. The following tariffs that would relate to music venues and that are dealt with via our Concert Sales Centre are:
Wherever feasible, PRS negotiates tariffs with national trade associations or representative bodies. In a few cases, PRS tariffs have been set by a decision of the Copyright Tribunal. Wherever particular performances do not fit the exact published scope of a standard tariff, PRS will apply the nearest equivalent. Normally, PRS would contact you quarterly to obtain actual music details and based on that information would assess the charges due.
How much does a PRS Music Licence cost?
The cost of a PRS Music Licence depends on several varying factors. PRS tariffs relate to different types of venues and performances, therefore you will be charged using the relevant tariff, e.g. music used in a pantomime will be charged under Tariff V at 2% (or at a discounted rate) and yet music used in rock gig will be charged at the standard 3% rate under Tariff LP (subject to minimum charge). PRS tariff booklets are available on request in hard copy or electronic format.
Must all performances be paid for?
Currently, PRS does not seek to charge for music used at a recognised Service of Divine Worship in consecrated places of worship such as Christian churches and cathedrals (and places of worship for other faiths) which have no admission charge.
What about theatrical presentations?
PRS does not control dramatico-musical works (operas, musical plays, pantomimes and revues) and staged ballets in so far as they consist of words and music written expressly for them, for which prior permission must be sought direct from the publisher or other copyright owner. Permission to use interpolated, pre existing music into a stage action of the plays and “compilation shows” must be obtained prior to planned performances. Such use is not authorised by a PRS Music Licence unless the copyright owner has given clearance. Further information can be found on the theatres section of this website.
Do I need a PRS Music Licence to play music within the bar area?
Yes, if you use live or recorded background music in the bar, restaurant, café, or on your telephone system, then a PRS Music Licence will be required. There is a relevant section on the review form where this music usage can be declared.
How does PRS distribute the income it collects?
It is a condition of the PRS Music Licence that, when requested, the licensee shall supply details of all musical works publicly performed. This information is needed primarily to assist PRS to distribute royalties to writers and publishers. It also helps to identify performances which contain no PRS controlled works for which no royalty is therefore due.
PRS operates a “straight line distribution” policy with regard to performances of concerts in live music venues served by PRS Concert Sales Centre. This means that we will pay the royalty collected from a given concert exactly (less administration costs) to the writers and publishers of the music specifically performed in that concert. This underlines the need for set lists/programmes to be provided by venues to us, so we can make this happen.
With regard to your venue, printed programmes or set lists should be supplied for all live performances of music under the following PRS public performance tariffs:
Programme forms (and supporting declaration slips for the use with printed programmes) are available on request. Further related information is also available.