Most of us think the music industry is only made up of bands, record companies and venues, however each area of the business is represented and governed by specific organisations that all link together, most of these are royalty collection agencies.

There are two kinds of royalties mechanical (records pressed or sold) and performance (radio, TV, live, film soundtrack, etc). Royalties exist to afford musicians some money before pure profit has been realised, in other words, they make a little money whilst paying back the record companies advance at the same time.

BPI British Phonographic Institute

Makes the rules. The watchdog and governing body of the UK music industry. Protects the rights of its members and lobbies parliament on their behalf. It ensures that the UK industry continues to export more music than it imports

APU - Anti Piracy Unit

part of the BPI that cracks down on boot legging.

MCPS Mechanical Copyright Protection Society

Collects royalties from record labels based on the number of records pressed (small independent label) or the number of units sold (major label) and distributes the royalties direct to its members or publishing house if they have one. The MCPS is a non profit organisation.

PRS Performing Rights Society

Collects royalties from radio and TV play and also live performance and pays it direct to its members (Artists). The PRS is also a non profit organisation.

PPL Phonographic Performance Limited

Collects royalties from radio play and also live performance and pays it direct to its members (Record Companies).

VPL Video Performance Limited

Collects royalties from TV play (Music Videos) and pays it direct to its members (Record Companies).

ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors & Performers

American royalty collection agency. Collects royalties from radio and TV play and also live performance and pays it direct to its members (America only).

MU Musicians Union

A trade organisation for musicians gives free legal advice & assistance in times of dispute, finds affordable deals for its members for mortgages, insurance, even public liability insurance.
The musicians union is completely ineffective as a union as it cannot ballot its members to strike.

Learn more about this author, Jonathan Mitchell.
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