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 on-hold systems offering 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.

PPL stands for Phonographic Performance Limited. PPL represent record companies’ and artists’ interests in a sound recording for BOTH public performance rights AND copying rights* PPL's public performance music licence tariff is based upon the number of telephone lines connected to the telephone system on which the music is heard.

* on behalf of the BPI where the copy is subsequently performed in public.

PRS stands for The Performing Right Society Limited. PRS represent the composers and publishers of a music title for the public performance rights. PRS's public performance music licence tariff is based upon the number of telephone lines connected tot he telephone system on which the music is heard.

MCPS stands for The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society Limited 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.

BPI stands for the British Phonographic Industry and are probably best known to music users as the producers of the “Brit Awards”. They represent record companies’ and artists’ copyright in the ‘dubbing’ or ‘copying’ of sound recordings. 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 to make copies of their sound recordings 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 (copying) royalties.

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