Response to the Call for Evidence

Response to the Call for Evidence by the Independent IP and Growth Review

PRS for Music is the umbrella name for two collecting societies, PRS and MCPS, which are responsible for the licensing and management of the performing and mechanical rights in the musical works of 75,000 composers, songwriters and publishers.

Total royalty collections in 2009 were £623 million. PRS for Music works closely with its members to ensure that when rights are collectively managed, they are licensed for value and managed to the highest standards possible.

Our response to the Review focuses specifically on the collective licensing of music rights, but starts from a belief in the value of copyright for creators to the benefit of wider stakeholders. We believe this review should not make fundamental changes to the framework but should encourage the development of solutions which help stakeholders adjust to the way that copyright is facing the simultaneous challenges of technology, digitisation and globalisation. Our input is a complement to the submissions made by UK Music and the representative organisations of composers, songwriters and music publishers, BASCA and the Music Publishers’ Association, who have contributed to and endorse this response.