Folk'n'Friends
Performing
Right Society
** Singers can sometimes be concerned about the dangers of breaking copyright, or performing without a licence. To alleviate my own fears I carried out a little research, and the following is my own understanding of the rules, somewhat simplified. This should not be seen as a statement of fact, and you are advised to check directly with the Performing Right Society for all details. All I looked at is the singer's position when performing songs live at a concert, club, or session.
** Singers do not need a licence. You can sing material written by anybody, whether or not it is still within copyright. It is the responsibility of the venue to make sure they have the appropriate licence (normally a Public Entertainment Licence - "P.E.L."). If a pub allows live music, it should already have a licence.
** Anybody organising a music performance in a venue that does not currently hold a P.E.L. is responsible for getting one. It is my understanding that if you performed at an unlicensed gig, it would be the organiser rather that the performer who would be in trouble.
** Royalties are distributed to writers and publishers in percentages arrived at as a result of the auditing of many events.
** Singers who regularly perform their own material can sign up for the "Gigs and Clubs Scheme", where you can tell the PRS directly about your own performances, ensuring that you get the royalties. However, you must be a member to benefit (£100 one-off fee). I believe this would also be of benefit to other songwriters whose work you perform regularly.
** Different arrangements are in place for recorded music. The MCPS is the organisation for that (same website).
last updated Friday 9 April 2005
"Love, I find, is like singing. Everybody can do enough to satisfy themselves, though it may not impress the neighbours as being very much." Zora Neale Hurston
** Singers can sometimes be concerned about the dangers of breaking copyright, or performing without a licence. To alleviate my own fears I carried out a little research, and the following is my own understanding of the rules, somewhat simplified. This should not be seen as a statement of fact, and you are advised to check directly with the Performing Right Society for all details. All I looked at is the singer's position when performing songs live at a concert, club, or session.
** Singers do not need a licence. You can sing material written by anybody, whether or not it is still within copyright. It is the responsibility of the venue to make sure they have the appropriate licence (normally a Public Entertainment Licence - "P.E.L."). If a pub allows live music, it should already have a licence.
** Anybody organising a music performance in a venue that does not currently hold a P.E.L. is responsible for getting one. It is my understanding that if you performed at an unlicensed gig, it would be the organiser rather that the performer who would be in trouble.
** Royalties are distributed to writers and publishers in percentages arrived at as a result of the auditing of many events.
** Singers who regularly perform their own material can sign up for the "Gigs and Clubs Scheme", where you can tell the PRS directly about your own performances, ensuring that you get the royalties. However, you must be a member to benefit (£100 one-off fee). I believe this would also be of benefit to other songwriters whose work you perform regularly.
** Different arrangements are in place for recorded music. The MCPS is the organisation for that (same website).
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last updated Friday 9 April 2005
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Folk'n'Friends. Singing session
virtually every Tuesday evening at The Waverley Bar, Saint Mary's
Street,
Edinburgh. Singers, and non-singing visitors always welcome. Whether
traditional or self-written, in the folk music genre or whatever, we
simply like songs. |
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"Love, I find, is like singing. Everybody can do enough to satisfy themselves, though it may not impress the neighbours as being very much." Zora Neale Hurston