PRS Launches Live Review

PRS for Music has announced a review of the way it licenses gigs and festivals. The eight week consultation period will seek to scrutinise the Popular Music Concerts Tariff (Tariff LP) that is applicable to all ticketed live popular music events. The tariff was originally set in 1988 and is 3% of gross box office receipts per event.

Commercial Director at PRS for Music Paul Clements said: “The purpose of this consultation process is to engage with our customers and members, to provide an open dialogue in reviewing PRS for Music’s Tariff LP. As a membership organisation, we have an obligation to ensure that our licensing is simple, efficient, fit for purpose – and recognises the valuable contribution our songwriters and publishers make to the live music industry”.

The consultation has obviously received support from industry representative bodies including the Music Publishers Association (MPA) and the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) but is yet to have any official comment from live music representatives- with the exception of the Music Venues Trust, who welcomed the move, at least in part, as reported here in CMU.

The PRS previously launched a review into the way it licences live music in 2010, concluding in late 2011 that there would be no changes to the tariff for the time being. That consultation was met with vocal and widespread opposition to a potential increase to the tariff from the live sector and its various trade associations. This consultation period closes on 8th June, find out more here.