Consultation: Extension of public performance rights to foreign nationals

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a consultation on potential changes to copyright law

UK copyright law gives performers (such as musicians) and copyright owners (such as record labels) the right to be paid when their sound recordings are broadcast or played in public in the UK.

Not every country provides similar rights. This means that UK performers and UK copyright owners are not always paid when their music is broadcast or played in public in other countries.

Almost all foreign copyright owners qualify for this right to be paid in the UK, regardless of whether the other country provides similar rights to UK nationals. But foreign performers are treated differently to foreign copyright owners. Foreign performers only qualify for this right in the UK if they are from a country that provides similar rights to UK nationals.

The consultation considers changes to how UK law provides these rights to foreign copyright owners and foreign performers. Several options are under consideration.

The IPO wants to hear from anyone who may be affected by a change to the law. This includes recording artists, record labels, collecting societies, broadcasters, and public venues that play music.

Find out more about this consultation.

The government will consider responses and publish its response, including its proposed approach, in due course afterwards.

First published 24 January 2024