Reviewed 12 November 2009

Government announces change in copyright law for Third Sector and not-for-profit organisations

The Government today announced its response to the consultation on changes to exemptions for charitable, not-for-profit and other Third Sector organisations in relation to licences required for the public playing of sound recordings and broadcast music.

The changes involve repealing existing exemptions. This will simplify the law and help greater understanding of the rights of music users and those who own the copyright.

Following the consultation, Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) the collecting society whose members this affects, have agreed a number of initiatives, working with PRS for Music to help Third Sector organisations that will require PPL licences when the repeals take effect next year. They aim to ensure a joined up approach from PPL and PRS for Music

The key initiatives are:

  • A new joint licensing scheme: this aims to simplify the process for a Third Sector organisation obtaining a licence for playing sound recordings and broadcast music. This will cut down on administration costs for both users and collecting societies.
  • A code of practice and independent complaints mechanism: The code will detail the service customers can expect. Where disagreements do occur, music users want an independent, quick and affordable complaints mechanism. With PRS for Music already having implemented this in July 2009, PPL will also develop a code of practice linked to an independent complaints reviewer.
  • PPL consulting Third Sector organisations with the Community Sector Law Monitoring Group (CSLMG) to agree affordable tariffs.

For more information please contact:
Intellectual Property office (IPO): James Thomson, Communications Manager. +44 (0) 20 7034 2847
PPL: Jonathan Morrish, +44 (0)20 7534 1245
PRS for Music: Barney Hooper, Head of PR. +44(0) 20 7306 4548

Notes to editors

  • The government response PDF document(452Kb) is published on our website.
  • Section 67 and 72(1B)(a) of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA), and related exemptions in paragraphs 15 and 18(1A)(a) of Schedule 2, exempt charitable groups and not-for-profit organisations (Third Sector) from the requirement to obtain a licence for the use of copyright sound recordings and performers’ rights when playing recorded music and music contained in broadcasts in public in certain circumstances.
  • Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) is the licensing body (also known as a collecting society) that licenses these rights in sound recordings and performances on behalf of record companies and performers respectively in the United Kingdom.
  • Government lays the Statutory Instrument amending the CDPA to implement Option 1 and to repeal s128A and s128B in February 2010. Implementation in April 2010

Release date: 12 November 2009