Performing rights (PRS) royalties tariff: 1 Nov 2023 – 31 Oct 2024

Making Music holds an umbrella license with PRS for Music that covers our member groups when performing in unlicensed venues. For further information on how our license works please see our full guidance. Never heard of PRS? Watch our introductory video What are PRS Fees?

2023 update to PRS fees

As of 1 September 2023, PRS changed the way fees are paid by leisure-time music groups - now there will be different rates depending on whether the event was ticketed or not. If your group performs a piece still in copyright (even if it's just one), then the due fee will be dependent on whether the event was free to attend or ticketed. Leisure-time music groups that fit the PRS' definition of an amateur music group (see below) also get a 50% discount on fees, which is now reflected in the tables below. For more information on this change, watch our PRS webinar.

'Amateurs means an individual or group operated by volunteers, whose performers are primarily unpaid. If a group earns ticket revenue, they may still be considered Amateur if the majority of revenue goes towards the running of the group (e.g. transportation costs, venue hire, score rental etc). Groups are still considered Amateur if they engage a small minority of professionals to assist with the group performances (e.g. hiring a conductor, substitute players in the event of illness) If an event is organised by a third-party promoter, it cannot be classified as Amateur.' - PRS

Hence, under this definition, if you are a promoter group or a performing group that pays their performers, you are not eligible for the 50% discount - however you can still pay your PRS fees through Making Music as per usual.

Paying royalty fees to PRS through Making Music

In November, we will send all Making Music Group representatives and Treasurers information on renewing the membership for their group as well as information on paying performing rights fees. With your renewal you'll either need to make payment to us for any PRS fees owed for the previous year, declare that you've made payment to PRS for Music by some other means, or declare that no PRS fees are owed.

If you are responsible for paying royalty fees and the event took place in an unlicenced venue between the dates 1 November 2023 - 31 October 2024 please pay based on the rates below. Rates include VAT at 20%.

Royalty fees tariff for 1 November 2023 - 31 October 2024

The following tables apply to music groups that fit the PRS definition of amateur, as outlined above:

We hope you find this Making Music resource useful. If you have any comments or suggestions about the guidance please contact us. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this guidance is accurate and up to date, Making Music do not warrant, nor accept any liability or responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the content, or for any loss which may arise from reliance on the information contained in it.