Whenever the opportunity arises, PRS for Music vigorously defends the right to license our members' music, and their right to earn from their creative talent.
October saw us defending this once again, our sparring partner being London Radio Station LBC's breakfast host Nick Ferrari - a re-match from an earlier encounter in the spring. Nick had asked his breakfast audience if they thought the actions of groups like PRS for Music and PPL were justified and whether it was right that small business should pay to use music.
Many listeners objected to the notion that music should be paid for and the debate proved a lively one. However by standing together and presenting a united force, we put ourselves in a stronger position. It was heartening to hear in the LBC discussions members of PRS for Music joining in to defend the organisation and explain that when a business pays to use music by buying a licence, creators get to earn a living. The money received from licensing public performance is a vital source of income for PRS for Music members.
Countless studies have shown that music benefits business. It can add to the bottom line by improving productivity, help create a brand or an atmosphere, reduce staff absenteeism and encourage customers to purchase more. High street businesses with an eye on costs would not justify spending money on music if they didn't know and couldn't quantify the benefits in real financial terms.
We all appreciate that songwriters don't get paid to write music, only when it is performed, played or reproduced. We all need to work together to help tell that story.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts below.
Reproduced from a longer article in M, the monthly magazine for PRS for Music members
October saw us defending this once again, our sparring partner being London Radio Station LBC's breakfast host Nick Ferrari - a re-match from an earlier encounter in the spring. Nick had asked his breakfast audience if they thought the actions of groups like PRS for Music and PPL were justified and whether it was right that small business should pay to use music.
Many listeners objected to the notion that music should be paid for and the debate proved a lively one. However by standing together and presenting a united force, we put ourselves in a stronger position. It was heartening to hear in the LBC discussions members of PRS for Music joining in to defend the organisation and explain that when a business pays to use music by buying a licence, creators get to earn a living. The money received from licensing public performance is a vital source of income for PRS for Music members.
Countless studies have shown that music benefits business. It can add to the bottom line by improving productivity, help create a brand or an atmosphere, reduce staff absenteeism and encourage customers to purchase more. High street businesses with an eye on costs would not justify spending money on music if they didn't know and couldn't quantify the benefits in real financial terms.
We all appreciate that songwriters don't get paid to write music, only when it is performed, played or reproduced. We all need to work together to help tell that story.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts below.
Reproduced from a longer article in M, the monthly magazine for PRS for Music members
