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Advice and resources

Music business

Specimen Agreements

Before you seek business contract advice, browse our range of example agreements for doing music business.

Read more about Specimen Agreements
TV, film and advertising

Specimen Sync Licences

Templates to help you negotiate synchronisation deals and agree appropriate terms for the use of your music

Read more about Specimen Sync Licences

Employment Contracts

Use our UK employment contract advice resource to find out more about employment contracts and the conditions you should be wary of.

Read more about Employment Contracts

Upcoming events

Upcoming

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28 Oct 2026

Legal Webinar: Copyright Update

Explore the basics of copyright law and current issues such as artificial intelligence in this webinar with Scottish law firm Harper Macleod. Available to members in Scotland.

Online (Zoom)
Read more about Legal Webinar: Copyright Update

Upcoming

Photo of a gavel next to a record player.
04 Nov 2026

Legal Webinar: Key Contracts

Learn about key legal issues to be aware of when signing contracts as a musician with Scottish law firm Harper Macleod. Available to members in Scotland.

Online (Zoom)
Read more about Legal Webinar: Key Contracts

Plan ahead

Young man sat at home on the sofa, wearing glasses, looking at a piece of paper in his hand while typing on an open laptop on his knee.
26 Nov 2026

CULT Cymru: Making Tax Digital

Join CULT Cymru for this free online session to explore how HMRC’s Making Tax Digital changes will affect freelance sole traders, including digital record-keeping, cloud accounting software and what you need to do to prepare.

Online
Read more about CULT Cymru: Making Tax Digital

Plan ahead

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Fiona Brice

Once you start contracting other musicians and bringing other people in the studio you realise there’s paperwork that needs to be done.

Fiona BriceArranger, composer and violinist
Naomi

All business relationships that you enter into should be clearly and carefully set out in agreements that are fair to all concerned.

Naomi PohlMU General Secretary
#WorkNotPlayMU

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Have you been asked to work for no fee?

Tell us about it See all Campaigns
This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

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Have Your Say on Streaming: DCMS Launches Survey for Songwriters

If you have attended a songwriting session for a major label since September 2025, the DCMS wants to hear from you. Your feedback will help evaluate measures introduced following the UK streaming inquiry and strengthen the case for fair pay for music creators.

Published: 15 October 2026

Read more about Have Your Say on Streaming: DCMS Launches Survey for Songwriters
A woman sat on the floor playing acoustic guitar while a baby reaches out to her and the instrument.

New MU Survey Explores Free Childcare for Working Musicians

The MU is surveying musicians who are parents or carers of children under 18 to understand how current free childcare provision works for those in the industry and to explore alternative models better suited to their working patterns.

Published: 07 October 2026

Read more about New MU Survey Explores Free Childcare for Working Musicians
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CMU x MU: Copyright for Songwriters and Composers Webinar

Catch up on our webinar with CMU’s Chris Cooke, exploring copyright, royalties, performers’ rights and what songwriters and composers need to know to protect their work and income. Available to members only – My MU login required.

Published: 06 October 2026

Member only Read more about CMU x MU: Copyright for Songwriters and Composers Webinar
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Over £3 Million Recovered for Musicians

In the last year, MU secured over £3,200,000 for musicians through:

  • Recovery of unpaid fees
  • Negotiation of contract settlements
  • Royalty distribution
  • Recovery of unlawful pay deductions
  • Negotiation of redundancy claims
  • Compensation claims for contractual breaches
  • Recovery of unpaid holiday pay

Your membership pays off.

Join MU today

Over £3 Million Recovered for Musicians