1934
PPL is founded
PPL was formed in May 1934 by the record companies EMI and Decca Records, following a ground-breaking court case against a coffee shop in Bristol.
The coffee shop, Stephen Carwardine & Co, had been keeping its customers entertained by playing records. EMI, then called The Gramophone Company, argued it was against the law to play the record in public without first receiving the permission of the copyright owners. The judge agreed, establishing this as an important legal principle.
EMI and Decca formed Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) to carry out this licensing role and opened the first office in London.
1956
The Copyright Act
There has been much technological, social and legal advancement since PPL was formed in the 1930s. The Copyright Act 1956 led to PPL’s role expanding to cover the licensing of broadcasters that played recorded music.
1960 –70s
Love music, love radio
The popularity and growth of radio in the 1960s and 70s led to burgeoning PPL revenues. Further copyright law changes in 1988 strengthened PPL’s licensing position.
1996
Equitable remuneration
In 1996, performers were given the right to receive ‘equitable remuneration’ where recordings of their performances were played in public or broadcast – leading to PPL paying them royalties directly for the first time.
2006
Performers join PPL
Performer organisations PAMRA and AURA merged with PPL in 2006, leading to an annual meeting and dedicated board specifically for performers.
2018
A new music licensing experience
Just over ten years later in 2018, the creation of a new company for public performance licensing created a landmark moment in the licensing of the UK music industry’s creative output and in PPL’s history. PPL and PRS for Music, joined forces to launch PPL PRS Ltd – jointly and equally owned by both companies. The new joint licence was called TheMusicLicence and brought to an end the need for customers to purchase separate PPL and PRS for Music licences from each individual organisation.
2019
Present day
From collecting £1 million in our first decade of business to now collecting over £200 million a year, we are managing more rights for more members with a larger amount of money being paid out – enabling more licensees to play a greater variety of music. We have also branched out to collect royalties internationally for when our members’ recordings have been played in other countries.
The digital age has brought ongoing challenges to the music industry and recorded music. We continue to fight to protect our members’ rights and work with governments and leading industry bodies to ensure the creative industries are supported.
In 2019, we are celebrating our 85th anniversary. We thank our members, business partners and friends for their ongoing support and look forward to delivering more in the next 85.
