Why should I become a member?

Have you performed on, or do you own the rights to, recorded music? Find out about the benefits of joining PPL.

On behalf of its members, PPL collects royalties for a range of uses of recorded music – when it is played in public or broadcast on TV, radio and certain digital media services.

We represent tens of thousands of performers and record companies (from major names to small businesses and sole traders) and license hundreds of thousands of businesses and broadcasters – large and small – across the UK.

Benefits of joining PPL

Annual payment of UK royalties earned by members, plus quarterly international royalty payments. PPL is a not-for-profit organisation, which helps to maximise the royalties paid through to members whilst also maintaining a sensible level of investment in services and systems.
PPL's international network of agreements with other music licensing companies enables PPL to collect royalties for the use of recordings and performances in more than 30 countries around the world for a low administration fee - for most countries, just 2-10%.
PPL is the first music licensing company to be given Qualified Intermediary (QI) status by the US tax authorities – meaning that royalties collected by PPL from the US need not be subject to US withholding tax of 30%.
Royalties are calculated at track level and at individual performer level, based on information about what music is played by licensees.
Access to a secure online myPPL account – manage your personal details, access PPL's Repertoire Database and view your payments online, putting you in control.
Choose which of our additional licensing services you wish to use, including flexible options for digital licensing and an international collections service tailored to the countries you select.
A helpful and dedicated customer service team, available 9am-5pm every working day.
Access to monthly Member Open Days where you can learn more about what we do and discuss your account with PPL staff.
A quarterly email newsletter sent direct to your inbox with all the latest news and PPL updates.
Discounted members' rates for industry events including The Great Escape, Midem and Liverpool Sound City.
Last but not least... joining PPL is free.

Can I join PPL?

This section will help you if you are unsure whether you are eligible to join PPL as a member:

Why should I join PPL?
- Becoming a member of PPL means you can start to collect the money you are owed for your recorded music – and joining us is free. Apart from administration costs, our members receive 100% of the money we collect for them.
  
  If you've performed on recorded music that has been broadcast or played in public, you could be entitled to royalties. Find out if you qualify as a performer.
  
  If you control the rights for when recorded music is broadcast and played in public, PPL could be making money for you. Find out if you qualify as a rights holder.

Who can join PPL as a member?
- Anyone who owns (or is the exclusive licensee) the rights for when recorded music is broadcast or played in public in the UK can join PPL as a recording rights holder member.
  
  Anyone who has performed on recorded music can join PPL as a performer member.

What type of performer contributions are eligible for PPL royalties?
- Not all performer contributions will be eligible for royalties. Generally all audible contributions (such as guitar or vocals) will be eligible roles. In addition, certain inaudible contributions (such as a conductor) will also be eligible.
  
  When making a performer claim against PPL repertoire, performers are requested to select a role code to identify their contribution (e.g. role code "BVC" for backing vocals). Role codes are split into a number of types, not all of which are eligible for payment. Non-payable roles include certain studio activities, which add no audible contribution to the final sound recording.
  
  Download the list of role codes.

Do studio producers qualify for PPL royalties?
- Although a studio producer's contribution to recorded music track is typically inaudible, studio producers may be eligible to receive royalties from PPL for their inaudible contribution. This will only be the case where a studio producer conducts or provides a similar musical direction to another performer's live performance as it is being recorded. Alterations made to a recording after the recording has been made, such as edits or remixes, will not satisfy this test (but if the new versions involve new audible performances then these may be eligible for royalties). A studio producer who qualifies in this way is always added to the performer line-up of a recording as a non-featured performer.
  
  PPL's new Eligible Studio Producer Form offers a simple, practical solution for studio producers to claim royalties. The form must be completed by both parties and submitted to PPL for a claim to be made.
  
  Find out more about studio producer claims and download the PPL Eligible Studio Producer Form

What is a 'qualifying performance'?
- PPL's payments to performers are based on legal rules that set out the circumstances in which a performer's contribution will be considered a "qualifying performance". In summary, a performance can qualify in one of two ways:
  
  • Based on the country of performance (ie, where the performer gave the performance);
  
  • Based on country of residence/citizenship of the performer at the time they gave the performance.
  
  In each case, the test is whether the relevant country of performance, or country of residence/citizenship, is classed as a "qualifying" country under UK law. The list of qualifying countries is updated from time to time. It covers all EU member states, plus many other countries, each of which the UK considers offers sufficient protection of performers' rights.
  
  Download the current list of qualifying countries (correct as of 31 December 2011).

Show more FAQs 3

Becoming a member

Find out how to join PPL and what type of membership suits you:

How do I become a PPL member?
- The myPPL service allows you to register with PPL online for both types of memberships. It is free to register and we aim to approve applications within four weeks.
  
  To complete an online registration form, simply go to the login page, select the 'Not a PPL Member?' option and follow the instructions.
  
  If you are under the age of 18 you will need a guardian to co-sign the form and provide proof of ID.
I'm both a performer and a rightholder for recorded music – how should I register?
- If you are a performer who also owns the rights to the recordings that you perform on, you should join PPL with separate performer and recording rights holder accounts.
  
  If you already have one of these accounts with PPL and have set up your myPPL access, you can begin the other registration by clicking on 'My registrations' on the myPPL home page and then 'Add another registration'. You can then select the type of account you wish to set up and begin completing the forms.
  
  If you have not yet registered with PPL and would like to know how to begin the process click here, please read the other FAQs.
I'm a performer's manager/representative. What should I do?
- If you already represent a PPL performer and have access to a myPPL online account, please click on the 'My registrations' link on the myPPL home page and then select the option to register a new performer. You can begin the registration on behalf of the performer - please ask them to sign the contracts in order to return the application to PPL for processing.
  
  If you do not already represent a PPL performer, or do not have access to the myPPL service, please contact Member Services on 0207 534 1234 so we can set this access up and advise you on what to do next.
What rights in my recordings are granted to PPL when I join as a member?
- Joining PPL as a performer does not involve transferring any rights. PPL simply collects and distributes royalties due to you as a performer from the owner of the rights in the recorded music track.
  
  Joining PPL as a rightholder member involves transferring the right to play in public or broadcast your recorded music to PPL. All other rights in your recorded music remain with you.
  
  If you additionally choose to appoint PPL to manage your new media rights or programme distribution rights, then you retain these rights but appoint PPL as your non-exclusive agent to enter into licences on your behalf.
  
  If you choose to appoint PPL to collect royalties internationally, either as a performer or as a rightholder member, then you are appointing PPL as your exclusive agent to do so in the countries specified.
What terms and conditions apply to PPL membership and appointments?
- The main appointment for PPL rights holder members covers when recorded music is played in public (ie, 'public performance') and broadcast. PPL also offers a number of additional optional appointments over other rights. PPL's terms have a modular structure. One part (called the General Terms) applies to all appointments. Each appointment then has its own separate part of the terms. When you join PPL online you can select which appointments to make and will then receive a set of terms applying to your membership made up of the relevant parts of the terms. You can see the relevant terms that apply to each appointment by following the links below:
  
  UK Public Performance and Broadcast (Compulsory for all rightholder members)
  UK New Media Rights
  UK Programme Distribution Rights
  International Collection Mandate
  International New Media Rights
  International Programme Distribution Rights
  
  Where rightholders appoint PPL to manage rights in their music videos this is done through our sister company VPL. VPL operates a core appointment and one optional appointment covering new media rights.
  
  In addition to the membership terms, the relationship between PPL or VPL and rightholder members is also governed by the PPL or VPL company articles of association.
  
  You can join online as a PPL performer member. There are no detailed terms and conditions applying to basic membership. If you make use of PPL's international collections service then the international collections mandate will apply. Read the terms for all international collections mandates entered into after 1 January 2012. For any queries relating to international performer mandates entered into before 1 January 2012 please contact Member Services team on 020 7534 1234.
What should I do once I've joined?
- Recording rightholder members (once registration has been approved) can begin to register repertoire and products through their myPPL online account. Members can begin to earn royalties on repertoire once complete and accurate data about a recording has been entered into PPL's database. Download a quick guide on how to enter repertoire, or read the full detailed guide. Recordings must be registered by 31 January each year in order to be eligible for inclusion in PPL's main UK payment made later that year.
  
  Performer members (once registration has been approved) can begin to make claims through their myPPL online account. To ensure that you are listed as a performer on the tracks that you've performed on, you can use our claims system. How do I make a claim?
  
  You can search for your tracks on the PPL Repertoire Database, which contains all the recordings registered with PPL. Once you have checked the details of the recording and confirmed that you are not listed as a performer, you can claim for your performance to be added to the recording data. You may need to provide evidence in some circumstances.
  
  Please contact Member Services for more information about the claims system or download this PDF for instructions.
How can I end my membership?
- If you wish to stop being a member of PPL you can do so by writing to PPL, giving six months notice to terminate. Upon termination, all rights granted to PPL shall be re-assigned to you.
  
  You can also terminate each optional mandate individually by giving six months notice, except for international mandates which can be terminated only on 31 March in any calendar year by giving at least three months notice.
  
  You will be entitled to receive PPL royalties as normal up to the date of termination.
I'm already registered with PRS for Music – should I join PPL as well?
- PPL collects and distributes money for the use of recorded music on behalf of record companies and performers. PRS for Music (formerly the Performing Right Society (PRS) and the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)) collects and distributes money for the use of music and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers.
  
  Even if you are registered with PRS for Music as a songwriter or composer, you may also wish to register with PPL to make sure that you receive any income you are due as a performer or recording rights holder as well.
Are there any other organisations I should register with?
- PRS for Music is a UK music licensing company that collects and distributes royalties on behalf of song writers, publishers and composers. If you fit into one of these categories, you may wish to contact them for more information.
  
  www.prsformusic.com

Show more FAQs 3

Become a member

PPL could be collecting royalties from the UK and internationally on your behalf. Sign up and start earning.

Why should I become a member?

Benefits of joining PPL

Can I join PPL?

Becoming a member

Become a member

Become a member

Can I join PPL?

How can I start to earn royalties?

What is an ISRC?

Increase your royalties