In a recent matter heard in the Copyright Tribunal, a decision was handed down in favour of granting PRS for Music, the music copyright collective for thousands of UK musicians, a more favourable licence concerning royalty payments due from the UK Cinema Association (UKCA).
The dispute emerged from PRS for Music seeking increased royalties from the UKCA due to the increasing number of music catalogues used in movies and cinema screenings. PRS for Music argued that its previous licence arrangement no longer reflected the value of its members’ music, as the previous royalty rate payable to PRS for Music was negotiated over two decades prior to the Tribunal’s decision.
The CEO of the UKCA, Phil Clapp, reportedly stated in a news publication in June 2026 that the matter had become a “very long, very expensive and very arduous” process, with the UKCA’s view being that PRS for Music’s royalty proposals in negotiations were unreasonable. However, PRS for Music’s 2023 consultation produced findings that members of the UKCA would seek to pay the lowest royalty rate possible, being one option of either 1% of net box office receipts or a fee of 7.10 pence per admission into a screening, neither of which took inflation into account, with the Tribunal having to account for the interests of both bodies and their wide-ranging views.
Upon review of the matter, the Tribunal preliminarily awarded PRS for Music with favourable royalty payment terms, that increases the amounts due to artists in terms of royalties per admission, minimum fees per cinema screen and royalties due from screenings of concerts. With PRS for Music planning to finalise the updated royalty tariffs in consultation with the UKCA, the final rates will be confirmed in a further hearing by the Tribunal. In the meantime, negotiations will continue, with PRS for Music now seemingly in the driver’s seat.
If you have any questions on the above, or if you need any advice or support in respect of your own Intellectual Property, please do not hesitate to contact the team at McDaniels Law on 0191 281 4000 or legal@mcdanielslaw.com.
