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MU and Ivors Academy Launch Fair Score Survey for Composers

Take part in our Fair Score survey for composers and help us build a clear picture of commissioning practices - and be in with a chance of winning a £100 gift voucher.

Published: 09 October 2025 | 4:19 PM Updated: 10 October 2025 | 4:21 PM
A pair of hands playing a piano with a sheet of music paper to compose.
All composers are encouraged to take part in the Fair Score survey, regardless of whether media work is your main income or part of your wider music career. Image credit: Shutterstock.

The MU and The Ivors Academy have launched a Fair Score Survey, in order to build a clear picture of commissioning practices, contracts and buyouts across the media sector.

All composers are encouraged to take part in the survey, regardless of whether media work is your main income or part of your wider music career.

Help us strengthen our work with commissioners

The landscape for media composers is constantly changing, and we are keen to gather an updated, strong and informed view of the commissioning environment to inform the progression of our Fair Score campaign.

Kelly Wood, MU National Organiser for Live, Theatre & Music Writers says:

"We're continuing to witness significant issues in media commissioning contracts, often despite composers' best attempts to negotiate fairer deals. The process can be very coercive, and often lacks transparency, which can lead to composers delivering music that they are not adequately remunerated for. 

"We are keen to receive as much feedback as possible from composers in order that we can use this information to inform our negotiations with commissioners, and to help us to educate and empower composers to achieve fairer deals. We want to see the true value of our members' music reflected in the commissioning contracts that they sign."

Take the survey now

About our Fair Score campaign

Our Fair Score campaign seeks to educate composers on royalty buyouts and wider commissioning practices, whilst lobbying broadcasters and commissioners to be fair and transparent in their approach.

The Fair Commissioning Manifesto, created by The Ivors Academy and the MU, calls for an end to unfair buyouts and a pitching process that works for composers as well as commissioners.

It starts with three core principles:

  1. Copyright rests with the author. This is the moral starting point of every negotiation.
  2. Music creates unique and deep emotional connections. Composers should receive a fair share of the value they create.
  3. Only composers should decide how much of the performing rights they give away. Exclusive Assignment of Performing Rights is the best way to safeguard value over the long term.

Read the Fair Commissioning Manifesto in full and share it with media composers you know.

How to take part 

All composers are encouraged to take part in the survey and share your responses.

All responses will be put into a prize draw, with one lucky winner from the Ivors Academy and Musicians’ Union each receiving a £100 gift voucher.

The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and closes on Thursday 6 November 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact writers@themu.org

The survey is confidential, and all findings will be anonymised unless you consent for your comments to be quoted anonymously. Data will be securely stored and shared between the MU and The Ivors Academy.

Get support as a music creator through MU membership

The MU has a strong community of songwriters and music composers. We have specialist officials and advise music makers on the specific issues, including pay and contractual issues, career in composing and songwriting, employment and legal advice.

Explore our services available to music writing members

Join the MU now

Get support as a music creator through MU membership

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