What is IMPEL?
IMPEL – Independent Music Publishers’ European Licensing – is a collective of independent publishers who have joined together to license their Anglo-American* mechanical digital rights on a pan-European basis.
IMPEL is the first vehicle which allows independent publishers to take advantage of the European Commission Recommendation on the collective management of online music rights and provides a convenient one-stop shop for licensees of this repertoire.
IMPEL has chosen PRS for Music as its partner society to license and administer the participating publishers’ rights on its behalf, and has the full support of the Music Publishers Association.
IMPEL began operations on 1 Jan 2010.
Which Publishers’ Repertoire is included in IMPEL?
(as at 1 Jan 2010)
- Conexion Music Limited
- Fairwood Music (UK)Limited
- Hornall Brothers Music Limited
- Kassner Associated Publishers Limited
- The Music Sales Group
- Proof Songs Limited
- Red Ink Music Limited
- Reverb Music Limited
(as at 1 July 2010)
- Moncur Street Music Limited
- RZO Music Limited
- Truelove Music
A third phase of publishers is scheduled to join IMPEL in January 2011, with more planned for July 2011. IMPEL operates bi-annual joining dates for publishers to add their repertoire.
Why IMPEL?
IMPEL gives independent publishers the same benefits that the individual major publishers have achieved by licensing their mechanical rights on a multi-territory basis through one rights manager.
By offering their repertoire together through IMPEL, independent publishers are providing major multi-territory digital music service providers with easy access to their music – under just one deal.
And by using PRS for Music’s systems to process online mechanical rights, both publishers and music service providers will benefit from increased transparency and faster transfer of payments and clearance of rights.
Why did IMPEL appoint PRS for Music as its agent?
PRS for Music is at the forefront of Europe-wide digital music licensing, leading the way in an increasingly competitive environment.
Working to license EMI Music Publishing's repertoire since 2006 (as a service provider for CELAS, along with GEMA) and as a PEDL approved society for Warner Chappell since 2008, PRS for Music has both the market leading experience in licensing digital services and the world class back office to handle the complexities of digital pan-European licensing on a repertoire specific basis.
The launch of the new ICE copyright system in partnership with STIM further underlines PRS for Music’s commitment to providing market-leading solutions for the licensing of music rights in the digital age.
PRS for Music is also authorised to bring the Anglo-American performing rights to match the mechanical rights being provided by IMPEL members. This allows for a ‘one stop’ shop for the licensing of independent repertoire in Europe.
Is IMPEL open to new members?
Yes. IMPEL operates entry dates of 01 January and 01 July each year. There is a lead-time of 3 to 6 months prior to each entry date to allow for prepatory work.
How do I join IMPEL?
Please email PRS for Music via IMPEL@prsformusic.com for further information.
* Anglo-American Repertoire is defined as musical works in which the publisher has an interest and where the writers they represent are members of any of APRA, ASCAP, BMI, IMRO, PRS, SAMRO, SESAC, SOCAN, or are not a member of any performing rights society.
