Female composer using the mixing desk in a studio.

#FairScore

Take Action Against Buyouts

Buyouts vs Royalties: why media composers are taking action #FairScore

35%* media composers have taken buyouts or work for hire deals

41%* had to give away more of their mechanical rights than they wanted to

64%* report the commissioning environment is coercive

Read the manifesto

* Source: Ivors Academy Commissioning Survey, 2019

Back the Fair Commissioning Manifesto

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Yes. I do. And the 18 musicians who played on it get repeat fees every three years, thanks @WeAreTheMU . We had no idea this ad would run like this for almost twenty years. Thank you, people of Ireland, and @GuinnessIreland of course. #composersagainstbuyouts

KevinSargentMus

Find out more on Kevin Sargent

Holding on to the rights,or some of them, is the only way many composers earn any money at all from their work . They have value which is why productions want to keep them for themselves .Buyouts tend not to work for creators . (Sorry for looking like a Dracula )

@DavidGArnold

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Game Sound Design Buy-Out contracts are some of the worst I have seen to date. Currently saying no to all game contracts that exclude royalties.

@emika_records

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“We believe that music has immense value and we must make sure that composers' rights are protected and they get a fair compensation for their work". Nicky Graham, Chair of the Fund.

@prsfund

Find out more on PRS Fund insta

I know as composers early on in our careers, it is SO tempting and hard to resist handing over your rights for an upfront payment, but in the long run it actually hurts us and the industry as a whole

@thejoranger

Find out more on Jo Ranger

Buyouts vs Royalties: why media composers are taking action

Watch the video looking at buyouts, royalties, and protecting your future.

Want to know more? Read frequently asked questions about the buyouts.

Guidance and advice

What is a Buyout and How Does it Affect Me?

Are buyouts always bad? We answer your frequently asked questions about buyouts – and why media composers are speaking out.

Media Commission Fees

How much music creators should be charging for media composing work? Use our fee guidelines for media composing commission fees.

TV Commissioning Specimen Agreement

Music Publishing Advice

What music writers need to know when signing with a music publisher and self-publishing your music

Contract Advisory Service

See if that contracts works for you, and get practical advice on negotiating better terms.

Webinar recording

How to Find Work as a Media Composer

PRS for Music

How to Write Music Fit for Commercials

Kiran Patel, head of sync at A&G Sync and Power-Haus Creative, talks about what moves a composer should make to have their music synced in a commercial.

Fair Score campaign news

Young male musician sat in front of home studio with guitar.

New Specimen Agreement Launched for Composers Working in TV

A new agreement and reference notes have been created by the MU and the Ivors Academy as part of the Fair Score campaign, to help composers understand fair commissioning.

Published: 30 April 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

Across a long room full of delegates sat at tables, we see Naomi presenting to the group, speaking into a microphone

Read the MU General Secretary Speech From 2023’s Delegate Conference

In her opening speech at this year’s MU Delegate Conference, General Secretary Naomi Pohl describes how the Union is making progress in negotiations, campaigning and lobbying – and how we are improving what we do for members all the time. Read her full speech below.

Published: 25 July 2023

Fair Score Signals New Phase of Composers Against Buyouts Campaign

Explore what Composers Against Buyouts has achieved in the last two years, and why we're taking on the next phase of the campaign under the new banner Fair Score.

Published: 01 June 2023

Portrait of composer Mark Gordon against plain background.

Music Works Podcast Talks Composers Against Buyouts

Music Works host Katie Manasse spoke to composer Mark Gordon about the Composers Against Buyouts campaign.

Published: 01 August 2022

Around the web

Ivors Academy

"A new wave of buyout deals damage composers’ rights and careers"

The Ivors Academy and the MU have warned that a new partnership between Epidemic Sound and Adobe is part of a concerning trend to undermine the ability of composers to make a living through royalties.

Broadcast Now

"Music industry anxious over Discovery’s buyout proposals"

CMU

"PRS Deputy Chair hits out at expansion of buyout deals in audio-visual commissions"

CISAC

Your Music Your Future wants to help you understand your rights

Music Business Worldwide

"Over a third of professional songwriters in the UK say they have been “subject to full buyouts or work for hire commissions”

Listen in

Naomi Pohl

General Secretary

Maddy Radcliff

Campaigns and Social Media Manager

campaigns@themu.org

Kelly Wood

National Organiser for Live, Theatre & Music Writers

live@themu.org

Jenny Goodwin

Research & Campaign Consultant

The Ivors Academy

Mark Taylor

Director of Membership, Marketing & Communications

The Ivors Academy

Paul Mortimer

Public Affairs & Campaigns Coordinator

The Ivors Academy

Take Action Against Buyouts

Back the Fair Commissioning Manifesto

More media composers are being asked for buyouts than ever before. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Fair Commissioning Manifesto calls for an end to buyouts and a pitching process that works for composers as well as commissioners.

Are you a media composer, or interested in media composing as part of your future?

Join the conversation

Buyouts vs Royalties: why media composers are taking action

Guidance and advice