Music Industry Guide

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MUSIC INDUSTRY GUIDE: Who’s who.

If you are creating music, playing live, planning to release your own records, or just wanting information, find below key industry organizations that you should know about.

MCPS-PRS ALLIANCE
If you intend to earn money from the exploitation of music and are based in the UK you should almost certainly register with the MCPS-PRS Alliance. The rest of the world has similar collecting agencies whose services differ by territory

You can join the MCPS-PRS as a writer or music publisher. In both cases this 'Alliance' will collect two types of royalty from the exploitation of your music - they take their administration fee (you should remember that by joining you are employing them to collect money on your behalf) and pay youthedifference.

The PRS collects and distributes licence fees for the public performance and broadcast of musical works. This includes live performances and airplay. Venues and broadcast networks pay a licence fee, a proportion of which can be claimed every time an artist performs or their music is played.

Mechanical royalties refer to monies collected from the sale of both physical products (CD's, Vinyl etc) and digital products (downloads). This is the royalty paid to the owner of the recording. (which in some cases may also be you acting as the record company or retailer.)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
The UK Copyright Service provides comprehensive information on all aspects of copyright protection. For specific considerations that apply to song writers and composers.

Log onto their site for more information at www.copyrightservice.co.uk

PPL - PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE LTD
PPL is a music industry organisation collecting and distributing airplay and public performance royalties in the UK on behalf of over 3,500 record companies and 40,000 performers (this should not be confused with PRS revenue which is collected on behalf of writers and publishers). One of the key reasons for joining the PPL (besides employing them to collect your income as a record company) is to ensure that the music you sell is registered with the Official Chart Company.

When you join PPL your should ask for an ISRC (International Standard Recordings Code) identifier. e.g GBBXL0700100: GB = Country BXL = Member ID 07 = year 00100 = Track ID

You should also ask for a username and password for the CatCo website.

You can use these login details to access and update the music industry data base, www.catcouk.com

You can also download an online application that allows you to register recordings, digital and physical products with the MCPS-PRS, OCC (Official Chart Company) & the PPL itself.

CATCO
CatCo is a PPL funded initiative to create the UK recording industry’s track level sound recording database – providing a ‘one stop drop’ for all sound recording data requirements. CatCo uploads label copy release data onto the it's database.

The data can either be fed automaticall from record company label copy systems or alternatively uploaded using the Catco application (free of charge to all PPL members). This information also feeds the UK chart system and registers mcps information for any release.

BRITISH PHONOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY
The BPI is the British record industry's trade association. Its membership comprises of hundreds of music companies including all four 'major' record companies, associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies representing literally thousands of labels.

THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC
The Association of Independent Music is a non-profit-making trade organisation for independent record companies and distributors in the UK. Their job is to help individual members' businesses, and to support the needs of the independent sector. AIM services include:

Information, Advice, Seminars, Mentoring, Networking, Legal & Business Affairs guidance, Work Experience Scheme, Commercial Negotiation, Lobbying & Bargaining Opening Access to International Markets.

MUSICIANS UNION
Established in 1893 The Musicians Union is a trade union body that has modernised and offers tangible to benefits to today's artists.

The MU represents over thirty thousand musicians working in all sectors of the music business. Also, MU members are able to access a range of example contracts covering all aspects of performing and recording as well as pick from a comprehensive list of help and advice topics:

On Stage	In the Studio	In Your Office	In The Classroom
Public Liability Live Contracts Orchestral Insurance Datatag Medical/Benevolence Gig Checklist Rehearsing Partnerships Get it in Writing Live Rates Gigging Abroad Management Merchandise Agents Live Music Kit PPL PRS	Get it in Writing! Copyright Media Contracts Insurance Datatag Medical/Benevolence Releasing Your Own Product Production Recording Session Musician Arranger/Music Prep Media Rates Songwriter Composer Partnerships	Legal Services Legal Criteria Contracts Tax Savings Guide Rehearsing Partnerships Get it in Writing! Recording Release your own product Production Management Songwriting Sessions Agents Gigging Abroad Merchandise	Legal Services Legal Criteria Contracts Tax Savings Guide Rehearsing Partnerships Get it in Writing! Recording Release your own product Production Management Songwriting Sessions Agents Gigging Abroad Merchandise

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