Music licensing laws are changing

The UK Government has announced that the licensing rules surrounding not-for-profit organisations will change

These changes affect non-commercial organisations, such as Government offices and not-for-profit establishments, playing the radio in public. It also affects charities and similar organisations using recorded music as part of their activities.

In general, from 1 April 2010, not-for-profit organisations using recorded music will need a PPL licence.

The legislation will change on 1 April 2010. At that point you will need a PPL licence if you wish to use recorded music.

PPL does not charge for recorded music played at domestic events (such as weddings), at religious services, in care homes, hospital wards and where music is used as medical therapy. [It is inferred from this that all other uses, for instance in fundraising and other social events, are NOT exempt.]

If you currently hold a PPL licence, these changes will not affect you.

Music played in the workplace counts as a public performance and you will need a PPL licence.

A large number of commercial premises already pay a fee of around £100 (or less).

If you feel that these changes may affect your church, choir, or school adversely, you can work with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations by sending comments on how you will be affected the changes. The NCVO hopes that these will feed into a national campaign.

Says Elizabeth Chamberlain of NCVO: 'Any information you may have from your constituents would be very much appreciated, since it will make our case even stronger.'

Please contact her at:

Elizabeth Chamberlain
Policy Support Officer
National Council of Voluntary Organisations
Regent's Wharf
8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL
Email: Elizabeth.Chamberlain(at)ncvo-vol.org.uk