Consultation on music copyright exemptions for charities
The Office of the Third Sector is calling on charities to respond to a consultation on options to change the exemptions that charities have from paying royalties to copyright holders for the public performance of music.
Two licenses are required to play music to a public audience. One is from the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), who represent performers and the owners of sound recordings, and the other from the Performing Right Society (PRS) which protects the rights of the composers and lyricists. Currently, all charities are exempt from having to apply for and purchase the PPL licence.
Charities use music to improve lives and bring communities together, not for their own profit but copyright holders need protection to ensure a thriving creative industry. The Government wants to ensure fair balance between the needs of charities and rights of copyright holders.
The outcome of the consultation could open new opportunities for charities with one option being to exempt small charities from having to purchase either license which will save time and money for those least able to afford it.
It is crucial that charities do respond to the consultation so that their views are considered alongside those of the copyright holders and their interests taken into account.
Additionally, the IPO will be holding informal meetings with any interested parties later in 2008. Further information on this will be available from the IPO website shortly.
