PLEASE NOTE: We are currently confirming the licencing details for 2021, the information/tariffs on this page are subject to change.
PPL PRS Ltd is a not-for-profit music licensing organisation that collects royalties on behalf of its 104,000 songwriter, composer and publisher members whenever their music is played, performed, broadcast or reproduced.
All events in the 2021 season must complete the music section of their Eventotron registration by midday 17 June 2021.
PPL PRS collect licence fees from UK businesses and organisations on behalf of their parent companies, PPL and PRS for Music. Despite this merger, the two organisations still collect licence fees covering two different kinds of music rights. You may be required to pay a music licence fee to cover you for one, or both, of these licensing areas.
PPL then distributes these music licence fees for the use of recorded music on behalf of record companies and performers, while PRS for Music distributes music licence fees for the use of musical compositions and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers.
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 says that permission is required from the copyright owner in order to play music in public - i.e. outside the home and domestic life.
A PPL PRS licence makes it easy to get the permission you need, allowing millions of copyright songs to be played live or by any recorded means (for example, on CD or jukebox) or via the internet, TV or radio. A PPL PRS Licence is required for music use whether you are playing that music live, using a recorded version, or via a TV or radio broadcast.
If your Brighton Fringe 2021 event charges an entry fee, you must provide a list of music used in your event in the registration form, in the Music section. This information will then be passed on to PPL PRS Ltd on your behalf.
Please read our guide on How to complete the music section (not yet updated for 2021) which should answer all of your questions regarding PPL PRS and will guide you through the process of entering your music into your event registration.
If you are using any music in your event, Brighton Fringe will advise you if there will be a fee payable to PPL PRS. The PPL PRS fee will be deducted from your Brighton Fringe Box Office settlement.
If you have any questions regarding the use of music in your event, please contact [javascript protected email address]
Digital Events:
Fringe events wishing to digitally live stream a small-scale ticketed event originating in the UK may also have to obtain an OLC licence. This includes DJs, classical and popular music as well as theatre and variety shows.
The licence will be arranged and paid through Brighton Fringe, in a similar process to other PRS PPL payments. We're currently confirming the licensing process for 2021, but you can find more information about OLC licences here.
PRS Tariffs:
| Type of event | Music Use | Charge | Details of music to be provided? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free event, with no charge for admission, with a capacity of less than 1000 | Any | No charge | No |
| Music event, with a capacity of less than 1000 | Any | 4% of total ticket receipts | Yes |
| Stand-up Comedy | Walk on and off music only | 0.2% of total ticket receipts | Yes |
| Other event, with a capacity of less than 1000 | Background music only | Each venue must either hold an existing PRS or PPL PRS licence to permit this music use in their premises or the Venue must apply to the Agent and pay a licence fee of £40.80 + VAT for the duration of the Fringe. | No |
| Theatrical Presentations & Variety shows (Cabaret, Comedy, etc) with a capacity of less than 1000 | Any | 4% of total ticket receipts (if playlist not submitted in advance) | Yes |
| Theatrical Presentations & Variety shows (Cabaret, Comedy, etc) with a capacity of less than 1000 | Over 2 and no more than 15 minutes | 0.5% of total ticket receipts, if full details are submitted in advance | Yes |
| Theatrical Presentations & Variety shows (Cabaret, Comedy, etc) with a capacity of less than 1000 | Over 15 and no more than 30 minutes | 1.5% of total ticket receipts, if full details are submitted in advance | Yes |
| Theatrical Presentations & Variety shows (Cabaret, Comedy, etc) with a capacity of less than 1000 | Over 30 minutes | 4% of total ticket receipts, if full details are submitted in advance | Yes |
| Any show with a capacity of 1000 or more | Any | These events must be licensed directly by PPL PRS. Call PPL PRS at 0800 0720 808 | As per the terms of any licence issued |
PPL Tariffs:
Exclusions: Any event where fees would normally be payable under PPL’s Specially Featured Entertainment tariff (SFE) e.g. discos, DJ sets or under PPL’s fashion shows tariff or any shows using music videos which will be licensed under the relevant VPL tariff
Definitions:
- Amateur Performances: where money derived from the show is to cover expenses, transportation, production costs etc.
- Professional Performances: where the aim of the performance is to drive an income (even if no income is made) i.e. for a wage, to generate revenue, advertising for a professional show later in the year etc.
Royalties due per performance (excluding VAT):
Amateur performances:
| Minutes of recorded music per performance | Total attendance at the performance | |||
| 50 | 100 | 150 | 150+ | |
| Up to 3 minutes | £0.50 | £0.75 | £1.00 | £1.25 |
| 3 to 30 mins | £0.94 | £1.14 | £1.34 | £1.54 |
| 31 to 60 mins | £1.14 | £1.34 | £1.54 | £1.74 |
| 61 to 90 mins | £1.34 | £1.54 | £1.74 | £1.94 |
| 90+ mins | £1.54 | £1.74 | £1.94 | £2.14 |
The fees payable per production will be capped at £66.20 irrespective of the number of performances.
Professional performances:
| Minutes of recorded music per performance | Attendance | |||||
| 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 250+ | |
| 01 - 2.5 | 1.03 | 1.38 | 1.74 | 2.09 | 2.44 | 2.79 |
| 2.51 - 5 | 1.47 | 1.97 | 2.48 | 2.98 | 3.48 | 3.98 |
| 5.01 - 10 | 2.95 | 3.95 | 4.96 | 5.96 | 6.97 | 7.97 |
| 10.01 - 15 | 4.43 | 5.93 | 7.44 | 8.95 | 10.45 | 11.96 |
| 15.01 - 20 | 5.90 | 7.91 | 9.92 | 11.93 | 13.94 | 15.95 |
| 20.01 - 25.00 | 7.38 | 9.89 | 12.40 | 14.92 | 17.43 | 19.94 |
| 25.01 - 30.00 | 8.85 | 11.87 | 14.88 | 17.90 | 20.91 | 23.93 |
| Each additional 5 mins or part thereof | +1.48 | +1.98 | +2.48 | +2.98 | +3.49 | +3.99 |