A Short Guide to Registering Your Song in the UK

Registering your song is a crucial step for any musician looking to protect their music rights and ensure they receive royalties for their work. The process, while straightforward, requires attention to detail and understanding of the organizations involved.

Here’s your guide to navigating the registration landscape in the UK, ensuring your music is protected and monetized correctly.

Step 1: Understanding Copyright Law

In the UK, copyright in a song is automatically granted upon creation, provided the work is original and has been fixed in a tangible form. However, to enforce this copyright and receive royalties, registration with the relevant bodies is essential.

Step 2: PRS for Music

PRS for Music is the leading society in the UK and is made up both PRS and MCPS, each dedicated to safeguarding that writers and publishers receive fair compensation for their contributions. However, they focus their efforts on distinct segments of the industry. To fully safeguard and collect all your royalties, registration with both societies is necessary.

Step 3: PRS Membership

The Performing Right Society (PRS) collects and distributes royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers for live performances, TV or radio broadcasts, public play, online streaming, and film usage. The process to register an account involves filling out an application on their website, paying a one-time membership fee, and submitting your music details.

Step 4: MCPS Membership

The Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) manages the collection and payout of mechanical royalties for its members, focusing on works commercially released on CDs, DVDs, or LPs, as well as those are recorded and used by radio/TV programs, audiovisual productions, and  multimedia productions and any other works with an online use apart from streaming (which belongs to PRS). Registering involves completing an online form, paying a one-time fee, and submitting music details.

Step 5: Registering Your Work

Once a member of PRS (and MCPS, if applicable), you can register your songs through their online system. This will require detailed information about your work, including titles, writer credits, and any publishers involved. It’s crucial to provide accurate information to avoid future disputes or missed royalties.

Step 6: Keep Records and Stay Updated

After registering your song, keep detailed records of your registrations and monitor your royalty statements. PRS and MCPS provide online portals where you can track earnings and update song details if necessary.