IPC blanket licence

IPC Licence

The IPC Licence is for Independent Production Companies, primarily making content for Channel 4, Five and S4C. With the IPC Licence, independent TV production companies don’t need to seek individual clearance for the songs they wish to use in their TV Productions. Sign-up once, and, conveniently, you get the rights to use up to 10 million different songs and pieces of music. It also allows you to provide programmes for +/- 30 day VOD (video on demand).

Costs

Choose from per 30 second, per programme, or per series payment options.  Annual, worldwide and all media rights payment options are also available.  For full details on pricing, see IPC rates.

Application process and reporting

1. Complete and send theapplication form
2. We advice you of the costings
3. You pay for the licence
4. You keep a record (via cue sheets or similar) of all music used and supply us with this once your production is finalised

Documents, restrictions and forms

IPC Licence

Application form

Full terms and conditions

IPC rates

IPC copyright guide

IPC excluded works list

Recent changes to the IPC Licence

MCPS conducted a review of the Independent Production Company Blanket Licence to assess how successful it has been, both for producers and for MCPS members. As a result the licence will be extended for a period of 1 year from 1st April 2010 until 31st March 2011.

The framework of the renewed IPC Blanket broadly remains the same, except for the following changes:

1) A mechanism will be introduced to allow MCPS members to exclude certain works from being licensed under the blanket licence. This follows consultation with publishers who, in some cases, may need to offer additional protection to their writers. The list of restricted works will apply to programmes delivered to the broadcaster on or after 1 July 2010. Any new additions will be added on the 1st working day of each month and will be effective two months from that date i.e. excluded works added on the 1st September will apply to any programme delivered on or after 1 November. Any works on this list will not be available for licensing under the IPC Blanket unless approved by the copyright owner.

Currently, the IPC Excluded Works List contains songs that are written or co-written by AC/DC, The Beatles (including some solo works by Paul McCartney & George Harrison), Arthur Brown, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Procol Harum, The Band and The Travelling Wilburys. The list also includes works by other artists which use samples of excluded works.

COMMERCIAL MUSIC – CURRENT LICENCE FEES

For Programmes where the Delivery Date is prior to 1 October 2010

COMMERCIAL MUSIC – NEW LICENCE FEES

For Programmes where the Delivery Date is on or after 1 October 2010

PRODUCTION MUSIC - CURRENT LICENCE FEES

 
Per Series and Annual Blankets

If you are producing production series or a number of productions please discuss your requirements with your account manager or call the IPC team on 020 7306 4101 to go through how these new rates and discounts can benefit your productions.

*There is now no programme length restriction

Production Music fees Prices per 30 second unit

This is MCPS’ standard approach to licensing Production Music and offers easy access to music at competitive prices.

Per programme rates

If a licensee’s total Production Music use fee (on a per programme basis) is calculated as being higher than that of the per programme rate then the per programme rate will automatically be charged.

• The UK TV rate for Five includes the right to use Production Music within Fiver and Five US programming
• All TV programme rates also include +/- 30 day catch up for Video on Demand (VOD)

Once signed up to the IPC scheme the process is straight forward, submit your reporting in the usual way indicating to your account manager what rights and options you require for each production. 

IPC scheme information

What is name of the scheme?

The Independent Production Company (IPC) Blanket Licence.

What does the scheme allow you to do?

It enables producers of TV programmes access to over 10 million pieces of our members’ music.

What are the rights and formats covered under the agreement?

We provide a simple and cost effective way for you to access all the commercial or production music that you need.

How do you apply to the scheme?

Apply

Once admitted onto the scheme, do you have to apply for individual product clearances?

No. We offer a one-stop-shop: rather than seek clearance from individual copyright owners, you can now simply apply once to us.

What does the scheme exclude?

If you want to distribute a UK TV programme that already contains our members music then you will also need to apply for a Programme Sales and Music Programme Licence.

International use (it is for UK programming made by UK IPCs). Adaptation, alteration, sampling or arrangement of a members' commercial music without prior approval. Reproductions of music as parodies. Use of music in a deliberately derogatory, obscene or demeaning way to its composer, author or the performing artist. Advertising and sponsorship. Use of commercial music in title/credit sequences.

Anything excluded from the blanket licence must be individually licensed.

Further information

View the IPC guidance document