Music Licensing

MUSICLINE subscriptions include music dubbing royalties and, as issuing agents, complete public performance music licence cover for the use of Original Artist music on your business telephone systems, giving your organisation total confidence when using copyright controlled material.

Holding the correct licences for both the public performance and copying of copyright music is a legal requirement.

Phonographic Performance Limited, known as PPL, represent the interests of record companies and artists by licensing sound recordings for public performance.  PPL's public performance Music On Hold licence tariff is based upon the number of telephone lines connected to the telephone system on which the music is heard.

PRS For Music, previously known as the Performing Right Society Limited, represent the composers and publishers interests in a music title for the public performance rights. PRS For Music's public performance Music On Hold licence tariff is also based upon the number of telephone lines connected to the telephone system on which the music is heard.

PPL also represent the British Phonographic Industry [BPI] who are probably best known as the producers of the “Brit Awards”. They represent record companies’ and artists’ copyright in the dubbing (copying) of sound recordings where the copy is subsequently performed in public. So, whenever a copy of a sound recording is made, prior permission must be granted by the BPI.  The BPI do NOT grant licences directly to end-users but, instead, license specialist Licensed Music Service Providers, such as Telecom Audio, who compile programmes under their strict control for hire to subscribers. A percentage of the MUSICLINE subscription is paid to BPI in dubbing royalties.

PRS For Music also act on behalf of the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society [MCPS] who represent the composers and publishers of a music title in the rights they have over the copying of music. MCPS acts on behalf of its members to negotiate agreements with those who wish to make a recording of a musical work, ensuring that the copyright owners are rewarded for its use. A percentage of the MUSICLINE subscription is paid to MCPS in 'mechanical royalties' for the copying of their members music titles.

If you need more information on the use of copyright controlled music for telephone music-on-hold applications call the MUSICLINE Contact Team.