What is an IPRS Licence ?

The Society grants blanket licences for a moderate annual charge which enables the holders thereof to comply with the provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957. These Licences authorise the public performance, broadcasting, or diffusion by wire of any of the millions of works which the Society controls on its member's behalf as well as on behalf of the members of its affiliated Societies throughout the world.

In certain cases 'permits' are issued for the use of the repertoire - or of specific works - at one performance or at a short series of performances. The Society's licence is necessary for any public performance of the copyright music under its control regardless of the nature of the entertainment or the kind of premises at which the performance takes place and irrespective of whether a charge for admission is made.

Who needs an IPRS Licence ?

In terms of the Copyright Act, the promoter of a public performance, the owner of the premises at which the performance takes place and performers themselves all have a responsibility to the owner of any copyright material that is used. Generally speaking, the Society does not grant licences to performers but to the responsible proprietors of premises at which music is publicly performed or to the promoters of musical entertainments not covered by such Licences.

Just as a purchase of a copy of a play that is in copyright does not entitle the purchaser to perform the play in public, so also the purchaser of a copy of a piece of music or of a commercial recording, does not entitle the purchaser to perform in public the Musical Work embodied in the copy or recording. It merely entitles him to perform the work in his domestic circle, where Performing Rights do not operate.

The Society's licences cover both 'live' performances and performances by mechanical means, e.g. juke boxes, radio, and television sets, record players, background music devices, and so on. They are issued for numerous categories of premises, including cinemas, clubs, concert halls, dance hall, bingo halls, hotels, town halls, church halls, public houses, restaurants, shops, factories, universities, ships, aeroplanes, sports stadia and many others.

 How to apply for a licence ?

Any person who is required to take an IPRS licence can just call on its licencing office, which shall be most pleased to send to you the necessary application forms with its Tariffs.