MCPS-PRS Alliance launches as PRS for Music

60,000 song writers and composers find a new voice

Almost 10 years to the day as the MCPS-PRS Alliance, the organisation that pays composers and song writers when their music is used commercially has re-launched as PRS for Music.  Chief Executive Steve Porter announced the change to assembled industry colleagues and press at International Music Trade show MIDEM in Cannes.

The Alliance brought together the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society which pays out royalties when music is used in products such as a CDs and the Performing Right Society which does the same for the commercial broadcast of music such as on radio or in business premises.  After almost 90 years as separate organisations and 10 years as the alliance PRS for Music is billed as a new stage for one of the worlds most established collection societies.

Everybody knows the music industry is changing rapidly and we need to be ahead of that change. The Alliance has served us well, but it is time for a more coherent, customer-facing brand that allows us to represent our members and music users in a better way.

Beginning on Monday 19th January all 60,000 members and almost one hundred and eighty thousand customers will be contacted explaining how the change will affect them. Businesses that hold a PRS licence will be unaffected and will receive a new ‘PRS for Music’ licence to display to their customers and staff.