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Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing

All parts of the UK’s live sector must recognise and uphold the value of songs and songwriters, says a new statement from the Council of Music Makers.

Published: 15 April 2026 | 6:02 PM
Close up of women singing into a microphone on stage, with someone playing acoustic guitar to her right.
Payments from licensing of live performance and broadcast are crucial to ensure musicians are paid fairly for uses of their work. Photo: Shutterstock.

The Council of Music Makers (CMM) has issued a statement on the role that collective licensing plays as part of the licensing of live performances, calling for the value of songs and songwriters to be respected as an essential part of the music ecosystem.

The statement says: “The CMM rejects any proposals for a reduction in licensing fees or collections for the use of music. Such moves would simply have a negative impact on the income of songwriters and composers and make their careers less viable.”

It goes on to highlight the role organisations like the Musicians’ Union play in challenging and improving practices and ensure that collective management organisations work in the interests of musicians and music creators.

Members are encouraged to read the full statement on the Council of Music Makers’ website.

We believe strongly that collective licensing plays an important role in musicians’ lives

Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary says: “We know the importance of royalties to performing musicians, songwriters and composers. Payments from licensing of live performance and broadcast are crucial to ensure musicians are paid fairly for uses of their work and can sustain a living.

“Collective management organisations (CMOs) like PRS for Music and PPL are democratically structured and involve performers and creators in decision-making. We represent our members’ views to CMOs regularly on issues and improvements they should make, but we believe strongly that collective licensing plays an important role in musicians’ lives.”

Any members affected by the issues involved are invited to join our Music Writers' Sector to help shape MU policy on a wide range of topics affecting songwriters, composers, arrangers and copyists.

About the Council of Music Makers

The Council of Music Makers brings together the Musicians’ Union, Ivors Academy, Featured Artists Coalition, Music Managers Forum and Music Producers Guild to jointly campaign on issues affecting musicians and music creators.

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