Copyright Tasksheet

1. Regulationand its impact on content
I will be writing about Copyright in media, I will include the companies that are responsible
for looking after this and what it is there for. I will write about what it is and how it can
benefit artist and producers. I will also talk about what will happen if you don’t abide by
copyright rules and the results for not doing to.
Music Copyright is the legal protection given to all creators of music. This enables
composers, recording artists and may other people involved in the music industry to be
recognised and paid for their hard work. If your music is protected by copyright this means
that it cannot be broadcasted without your permission, this goes in vice versa where you
cannot use someone else’s music that is protected by copyright without their permission.
The musicians and composers get paid when their work is used, this is called royalties. Two
organisations who manage these payments are PRS for Music and PPL. PRS for Music look
after song writer’s composers and publishers and PPL look after those who record the
music. For those who play music in public are required to pay for two licences one to PRS for
Music and the other to PPL. These companies collect the money and make sure the artists
get paid. Both of these companies are Non-Profit. PRS and PPL can only assure the right
people get paid the right amount is if everyone reports the music they use. Even though
copyright is a very serious rule and should be abided by this doesn’t stop most people
illegally downloading music. The issue with this is that millions of people download artist’s
music illegally online through certain websites. This is bad as it means those involved in the
creation process miss out on being paid for the millions of copies that have been
downloaded illegally.
PRS is the home of PRS and MCPS, representing the rights of over 125,000 members. They
licence organisations to play, perform or make available copyright music on behalf of our
members and those of overseas societies, distributing the royalties to them fairly and
efficiently.
PRS for Music and PPL represent thousands of artists and can provide the clearance you
need to use certain pieces of music. If the music or artist is not represented by either of
these companies, you must go to the composer and/or record label directly to ask for
permission.
Larger companies such BBC pay yearly fees to PRS for Music which allows them to use PRS-
Managed music without having to obtain a licence every single time they want to do
something new with the music. This is called a blanket licence agreement. If a company or
broadcaster has a blanket agreement with PRS for Music, then they won’t have to pay for
the music directly from there production budget but would still have to fill out a music cue
sheet to report what music you are using.

2. Most large companies have a music clearance department that deal with the publisher or
PRS for Music for you, if not you will have to contact them yourself. You have to be aware
that the company or producer/artist can turn you down and not give you permission to use
the music you want. Music comes in and out of people’s ownership so you have to make
sure you can still use the same music I you have used it before as the permissions may have
changed. Every blanket is different in terms of what music it covers and how you can use it.
Reporting your music is just a different team for paying for your music. This still accounts if
you have cleared your music through PRs for Music or the artist directly you still need to
report it. You will be required to fill in a cue sheet that will eventually end up in the hands of
PRS and PPL. If you make sure you always remember to do music reporting it will help in the
future if you ever need to so anther production that requires music. Without obtaining
clearance you will face legal action for copyright infringement, this will make you liable and
result in having to pay damages and costs.