What about sound recordings?

Every recorded track has two rights:

A copyright in the musical and lyrical composition (administered by PRS for public performance, broadcasting and online and MCPS for physical products, broadcasting and online), and;
A separate copyright in the actual sound recording (administered by PPL for public performance and airplay but by the sound recording owner, typically the record company which released it originally, for physical products)

What if you are using the original recording?

MCPS and/or PRS should be able to issue you a licence for your desired music use but if you are using original recordings you also need to get approval for the use
of these.

If you are playing sound recordings in public or are broadcasting music via radio, TV or the Internet you will need to get a licence from PPL.

If you are using original recordings on a physical product you will need to obtain permission from the original sound recording owner. This can be identified by looking at the P & C notices on the back of the original CD or see 'Useful Contacts' below. Failure to secure approval for the use of sound recordings will invalidate any MCPS licence obtained.

What if you are using your own recording?

If you have made your own recording of an existing musical composition, better known as a 'cover version', you are the sound recording owner and will only need to obtain an MCPS licence for any physical products you produce.

However, if in creating your cover version you have in any way rearranged or adapted the original musical composition you will need to seek permission from the music publisher or, if unpublished, the writer/composer involved.

Useful contacts

If you need to find the owner of a sound recording please contact
PPL on 020 7534 1000 or visit www.ppluk.com