Dobs Vye

Proposed for appointment by: Mat Andasun, Claire Batchelor, Ben Cullum, Nainita Desai, Paul Farrer, Crispin Hunt, Richard Jacques, David Lowe, Dru Masters, Julian Nott

In the 90’s, I managed, signed and represented singer-songwriters / recording artists / record producers / DJs. As a self-employed TV entertainment composer for over 25 years since, I have music-branded about 200 TV series (children's / gameshows / reality / fact-ent / news / travel); composed and produced around 20 library albums; and self-released my songs and co-writes as records and band concept albums.

More relevant to the work required of Council Members, than listing credits here, is purpose and engagement within its committees: my academic study (Political Sciences, M.A. Cantab) helps with the commitment to rigorously scour the hundreds of pages of documents for the Council meetings, to apply critical analysis in search of value for members from the leadership and detailed running of PRS. To bring that same drive, tenacity and responsibility from my work journey that I believe representation of members now needs, to stand up for our rights, it’s high time that I offer to give back some experience and serve you, and our community of creators.

When I was a young man joining and understanding the business of music, the elders who championed rights and educated us that we and our works have worth, were inspirational to me for their tireless efforts at that heroic messaging. As a speaker over the years at Musicians’ Union or The Ivors Academy events, many have encouraged me to stand for election, especially when I have lobbied at PRS for solutions to their self-made crises. As my family matures, I now feel that I have the time and energy to serve you, and to passionately fight for the rights of my peers and future generations of creators.

If you’ll vote for me to join the Council, I'd give it my all on behalf of us writers and performers. Thanks for listening, time for action…

Current and recent directorships: Adage Music Limited

Manifesto

I oppose any UK licensing exception for AI to train on laundered music copyright.

I oppose usage of AI-appropriated music in UK commercial content.

I oppose performance royalties being earned by word-prompted music ‘authors’.

I propose that PRS Council has a defining responsibility to represent skilled writers and musicians: to champion copyrighted music, and to safeguard authenticated human authorship in commercial UK usage of music.

To lobby UK government and be prepared to join litigation against the government in a class action in court, on behalf of rightsholders.

I propose that licensing compensation for AI-scraping is required, but billionth nano-payments are insufficient compensation for commercial usage. PRS should seek to amend blanket licensing deals with UK Public Service Broadcasters (e.g. BBC, and TV / radio channels) that commercial usage of AI-appropriated music be avoided.

PRS and PACT (Producers Alliance for Cinema & TV) could together endeavour to uphold a moral principle to eschew AI-appropriated music in UK audio-visual content.

PRS to police what music can be registered for performance royalties, so that AI generated music (or prompted AI music) cannot be registered for income via PRS.

PRS to introduce an upload cloud for music registrations and use third-party technology to vet that music is authentically human, sufficiently through-composed by bona-fide musicians.

PRS should represent writers and musicians, not word-prompters or editors. What constitutes ’sufficient human contribution' will be our battleground. Previous generations fought for the rights in music which we inherited. I now feel a vocational responsibility to stand up and robustly defend those essential pillars of our business.

I will fight for our rights to retain value and maximise earnings from our works and those of future generations of musicians.

What I can offer is the appetite and energy to vigorously serve your interests as fellow writers, and as new blood on the Council, to canvass members, table fresh brainstorming and make things happen…

IMPORTANT: Publication of this statement, or any subsequent communication of it, does not constitute endorsement or the promotion of the candidate by the Society, or any member of its management or staff.

The statement has been written by the candidate and has not been altered in any way. The views and/or opinions expressed are the candidate’s own.