Music Organisations

The music organisations known as PRS, MCPS and PPL play crucial roles in the music industry. I will explain what they are and why would I join them here.

Performing Right Society

The Performing Right Society, otherwise known as PRS, represents the interests of Songwriters, Composers and Music Publishers and ensures that creators receive fair compensation for the public performance of their musical work. I would join them because I want to make sure that I am paid fairly for my work being performed publicly.

Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society, known as MCPS, focuses on the mechanical rights of music and administers lisences for the reproduction and distribution of music. I would join them because I would like to get my music out to the public and across the world as well as having my copyright protected.

Phonographic Performance Limited

Phonographic Performance Limited, also known as PPL, Licences the use of recorded music in public spaces, for example, restaurants, shops, clubs, pubs, etc. and collects royalties when recorded music is played in said public spaces as well as being Broadcasted on TV and Radio. I would join them because I feel whenever my music is played anywhere, I should be paid in royalties for those songs being played.

Musicians Union Contracts

The Musicians Union provides standard contracts for freelance musicians to use as standardized templates for relevant engagements. (These are for referencing purposes only and are not to scale)

M3-Song-Share-Agreement (2).pdf

What I know about the Cycle of Fifths

The Cycle of Fifths is a fundamental aspect of music theory. It organises the twelve notes of the chromatic scale into a circular diagram, highlighting the relationship between major and minor keys, as well as their corresponding key signatures.

Remember that the Cycle of Fifths is a powerful tool for understanding key relationships and harmonic structures in music. Whether you’re a composer, performer, or music enthusiast, exploring the circle of fifths can enhance your understanding of music theory. So, I highly recommend learning this as it can prove very useful when needed.

What I know about Copyright Laws in the UK

In the UK, copyright laws play a crucial role in protecting the rights of songwriters, composers and lyricists.

Copyright is a property right that grants the owner exclusive control over their work. It allows them to authorize or prevent others from using their music in various ways.

A musical work consists entirely of music, whilst the lyrics are literary work, they are both treated in the same way.

Copyright in a musical or literary work lasts for 70 years from the end of the year in which the author has died. After this period, the work enters public domain.

Its important to note that you cannot copyright the title of a song.

The composers of the music and the writers of the lyrics are the original owners of copyright in a song.

If you co-write a song, its essential to agree with your co-writers on how the copyright and income generated by the songs will be divided.

In a band context, decide whether the songs are a partnership aspect or belong solely to the writers.

For composers, consider signing a Song Share Agreement that outlines each contributors share in the song.

In the UK, copyright exists once a musical or literary work is recorded in some material form.

Unlike other countries, registration is not required for copyright protection in the UK.

Remember that copyright also applies to re-arrangements and collections of music. If you're a musician, understanding these rights can help you protect your creative work effectively.