skip to main content

Call for Statements in Support of Orchestral Royalties in Australia

PPL are supporting the MEAA in trying to lobby for change in Australia so that orchestras can receive their PPL equivalent PPCA.

Published: 08 June 2022 | 2:57 PM Updated: 10 June 2022 | 10:11 AM
7 wooden shaped non gender figures on grey surface, with 3 dots in a speech bubble in white, one of the figures has a speech bubble in green showing they are talking.
“To help lobbying activities to correct this unacceptable position we are asking for brief statements from UK orchestra members". Image credit: Shutterstock.

The proposed change which sees PPL supporting MEAA (Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance), will also directly benefit UK members as current practice means UK orchestral recordings broadcast in Australia do not generate these royalties.

Send your statement 

PPL are requesting statements from individual musicians to confirm the value of these royalties to you in their role of generating additional income. These statements will be shared with MEAA in an anonymised format but the name of your orchestra(s) is requested.

To submit a statement please email Peter Thoms, Performer Director at PPL via peter.thoms@yahoo.co.uk.

Peter Thoms said:

“Recording activities by UK orchestras generate Equitable Remuneration paid by PPL for use of those recordings in the UK, Europe and many other countries around the world.

In Australia orchestras receive nothing from the PPL equivalent PPCA. Their recordings are regarded as “bought out” of all rights.

“In addition, UK orchestral recordings broadcast in Australia do not generate royalties. We are in touch with the industry body that represents Australian orchestral musicians, MEAA.

“To help lobbying activities to correct this unacceptable position we are asking for brief statements from UK orchestra members to confirm the value of these rights that generate additional income for you.

“We will share these with MEAA. With a new Labour Government recently elected the timing for reform is opportune. We do not need to share individual names with MEAA but indication of membership of a particular orchestra would be useful”.

Get the recognition you deserve with MU membership

Access expert training, advice and services whether you are a full-time professional musician, occasional gig player, part-time music teacher or anything in between.

Explore the career advice

Get the recognition you deserve with MU membership

Continue reading

Young female Black musician, wearing headphones sat in front of a keyboard in a recording studio.

Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

The survey will inform government legislation, the work of the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and the wider music industry. It will also be used to support BLiM’s forthcoming Anti Racist Code of Conduct. Members are encouraged to share their experiences.

Published: 19 April 2024

Read more about Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry
Exterior of Caird Hall in the city centre of Dundee, Scotland.

Representing Our Scottish Members at STUC Congress 2024

This week we attended the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress with MU Delegates Christine Cooper and Ben Lunn, who discussed the importance of music education, community arts in Scotland and establishing a Music Expo Office for the country. All three of our motions were passed unanimously.

Published: 18 April 2024

Read more about Representing Our Scottish Members at STUC Congress 2024