Use the letters above to navigate the website
This is a rough guide to copyright regulations, details should always be checked on the MCPS-PRS http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/musicforproducts/Pages/default.aspxwebsite to ensure no changes have been made to the licensing structure. For CDs and other audio-only products: http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/musicforproducts/Music_product_audio_only/Pages/Musicproductaudioonly.aspx
MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society) regulates and licenses the musical copyright of a composer or publisher to allow their music to be recorded and sold. The composer or publisher needs to be a member of MCPS and have the right to refuse copyright and so for this reason it is best to apply for a licence before recording. The MCPS only administer musical copyright, the recording copyright is owned by the recording company, such as Graphic Sound and for use of pre-recorded material the PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd) need to be contacted. MCPS licences can now be applied for online. To find out the price of copyright a license needs to be applied for. This can then be cancelled if necessary.
The different types of MCPS licences can be found using the links above. Three commonly used ones are explained below:
Limited Manufacture (LM)
Ideal for small duplication runs by non-commercial audio organisations, this is a set-fee and allow up to 1000 copies to be made.
Applications usually take around 5 days to clear.
The are strict guidelines and exclusions so for more information please visit and download the "Further information" documents at: http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/musicforproducts/LM/Pages/LM.aspx
MP2
This is for commercial recordings or for when more than 1000 copies are needed. It is worked out as a percentage of the selling price based on the number of copies made and how much of the CD is in copyright.
For more details visit: http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/musicforproducts/Music_product_audio_only/retail_product/AP2/Pages/AP2.aspx
MP4
For demo/promotional recordings only. View and download the "Further information" documents at http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/musicforproducts/Music_product_audio_only/trade_promotions/Pages/tradepromotions.aspx for more information.
All images, text and audio samples copyright James Shannon 2007
