July 2007 - Institute of Videography

Industry NewsMCPS-PRS Alliance launchesnew licence scheme for theprofessional videographerAfter many months ofdevelopment andconsultation with musicusers, the MechanicalCopyright Protection Society(MCPS) has announced thelaunch of its new LM (LimitedManufacture) licence schemewhich will address theclearance of musical worksfor wedding videographersand small-scale SIVproducers.An Alliance spokespersonstated: “Small scale businessesand non professional organisationswill benefit from this new fullyfunctionalonline facility -www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/LM.”In many cases this willreduce the licence costs forvideographers quite dramaticallyin comparison to the old LAPL(Limited Availability ProductLicence). Used in conjunctionwith the PPL licences availablethrough the IOV (www.iov.co.uk/ppl), videographers can recordlive music and add commercialmusic to their productions for aslittle as £4.99 per production (forthe LM licence) plus £4 per copy(for the PPL licence).The Alliance spokespersonadded: “The mechanical rightsside of the MCPS-PRS Alliance isintroducing this new and efficientsolution for schools, professionalvideographers, amateurdramatics societies and churcheswho wish to use music in smallscale CD, DVD or videoproductions.The LM Licence allows quickand easy access to over 10million pieces of music andenables organisations to press upto 1,000 copies of their productwith no requirement for musicreporting. Prices for the licenceare based on a simple flat feestructure, and range from £4.99to £250.This is the first of a raft ofnew online licensing facilitieswhich we will be launching. Wewant to make it as easy andstraightforward as possible forpeople to use music in theirbusiness, product or project.” Itis important to note that this LMLicence only covers physicalproducts such as DVDs andCDROMS. It is not for licensingnon-physical content such aswebsites.The IOV was instrumental in thedevelopment of this new licence.Whilst it is still a far-cry from thecombined PPL/MCPS licence thatthe IOV has been campaigningfor, the new LM Licence doesaddress some of the IOV’s keyconcerns about the ease and costof properly licensing music forthe event and small-scale SIVproducer.Do I still needthe PPL Licence?In most cases - Yes. The MCPSLM licence covers you for themusic and lyrics - whilst the PPLlicence covers the recordcompany’s and performer’s rights.If you are recording a liveband then you will only need theLM licence - subject, of course, tohaving the performer’spermission to make and exploitthe recording.Who is theLM Licence for?The following types of individualsand organisations are eligible foran LM Licence:Educational Users(school productions, teachingaids/learning guides)Educational Authority(Higher/Further Education,private tuition)Church/Religious(choir recordings, servicerecordings)Private Users(weddings, christenings, barmitzvahs, holiday films,funerals, video or CD to DVDtransfers)Amateur Productions(amateur film making, amateurdramatics, horse dressage,synchronised swimming,musical gymnastics)Professional Users(videographers, funeral serviceproviders, voluntarily runcharities)Musicians(amateur/ semi professionalorchestras, unsigned bands/artists, music tuition)A complete list of permittedusers and conditions areavailable from the LM website.How much does theLM Licence cost?The cost of the LM Licence isgoverned by two factors - thenumber of copies being made ofthe production and the amount ofmusic being used. The scalesare as follows:Up to 25 minutes of music1 to 5 copies = £4.996 to 20 copies = £1521 to 100 copies = £25101 - 500 copies = £75501-1000 copies = £150Over 25 minutes of music1 to 5 copies = £86 to 20 copies = £23.9921 to 100 copies = £40101 - 500 copies = £120501-1000 copies = £250How do I obtainmy LM Licences?The LM Licence will only beavailable through the LM website(www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/LM). When you log on for thefirst time you will be guidedthrough the following steps:1. Register as an LM customer2. Enter your product/production details3. Calculate your royalty rate4. Pay online5. Print your invoices andlicence certificatesAs a returning customer you willbe given the option to apply forthe same licence again, apply forfurther product licenses, or viewyour account history.A ‘multi-buy’ option will givelicensees, such as videographersand Local EducationAuthorities, the ability topurchase multiple licenses inadvance of events.What information willI need to enter?The following information will berequired when applying for an LMLicence.• Your contact information• Production Title• Your Catalogue Number• Type of Usage(menu selection)• Genre of Music(menu selection)• Number of Events/Products• Date of Event• Venue of Event• Duration of Music Used• Number of CopiesWhat restrictionsare there?A full list of restrictions areavailable on the LM website.However, the main restrictions ofthe licence are products whichcontain over 120 minutes of music.The unit restrictions under the LMLicence are 1,000 copies perproduct application. Applicants arealso limited to applying for 2,500copies per annum.The LM Licence does not coverGrand Rights of a dramaticproduction. A Grand Rights licenceis required for the performance orthe recording of any copyrightdramatico-musical works. Adramatic production includes suchthings as ballets, opera, musicals,and musical plays.In summary, other exclusionsinclude: the use of unauthorisedarrangements, adaptations,parodies, burlesques anddramatico-musical works;derogatory uses; on screen lyricsand games. Notes: Licencees must familiarisethemselves with the full terms andconditions which are available fromthe website. Please visit:www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/LM10 August 2007 Focus Magazine www.iov.com