APRA AMCOS and PPCA reviewing music licensing with councils

APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners’ Society) in conjunction with the PPCA (Phonographic Performance Company of Australia)has been reviewing music licensing arrangements for local councils.

It covers a wide variety of use, including background music in council shop fronts, live music in council-run events and concerts, music on hold, use of music on websites, council-run fitness classes and childcare centres, and the reproduction of audio recordings and music in audio visual content for digital preservation in council-run libraries.

It tells them, “Music licensing can be a minefield, but we’re here to help. We hope that our new scheme will remove the administrative and legal burden from local councils and allow you to focus on providing great services to your communities.”

It adds that, “When developing and implementing new or revised licence schemes for the use of music, we have found that receiving input from the music users allows us to better understand how music is used and applied practically. This approach is also useful in that it ensures that our clients have a better understanding of where the payments flow and the purpose of such licences, which in turn leads to improved ongoing relationships.”

A survey on the associations’ websites asks how various councils use music, and if their music licence fees would be reduced if they paid these through their State Local Government Association.

Image: Australia Council-presented Big West Festival