Types of licences

There are two types of licences, protecting different copyright owners (writers, performers and publishers; audio and visual); you might need both.

TheMusicLicence

TheMusicLicence is provided jointly by the Performing Rights Society (PRS) and Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), which represent and distribute royalties to the different copyright holders:

PRS for Music collects and distributes money for the use of music and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers
PPL represents record companies and performers so covers the copyright on all sound recordings and visual recordings (records, CDs, DVDs and downloads).

Motion Picture Licensing Company Umbrella Licence

If you show television programmes or movies on a television screen or computer monitor, you will need an umbrella licence issued by the Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC). The MPLC represents over 850 film studios and TV producers. Recent changes in UK copyright law extended the rights of those creating film or television content by removing an earlier exemption relating to the free public showing of broadcasts.

You are not required to have an MPLC licence if you use your TV or computer monitor to show only news channels or sports channels; these channels already include public exhibition rights within their content.

You must be able to demonstrate how you restrict the channels shown in your practice. You can, for example, use copies of communications to practice staff, practice policies (for example, a television use policy) and a restriction notice on the screen or television remote control.