Music licensing company PPL has partnered with Mercury Prize-nominated artist Eska for World IP Day, which is today (Tuesday, April 26).
The partnership follows a survey carried out by PPL, which revealed that 89% of the British public agreed that British-made music has a positive impact on the UK economy, yet 47% - nearly half - also admitted to not understanding what IP actually is and the role that it plays in the music industry.
A quarter (23%) of the British public did not know that that recorded music needs to be paid for (in the form of a licence) when played for staff and customers in public spaces, including shops, restaurants and workplaces.
Only 7% of those surveyed by PPL correctly identified that playing music in a public space without a licence could result in an injunction and ultimately, if that injunction is breached, could lead to a prison sentence or a criminal record.
Peter Leathem, CEO of PPL, said: “PPL exists to ensure that those who create recorded music are fairly remunerated for their works and that business can enjoy music whilst ensuring they are legally compliant.
"If PPL did not exist, a business would be required to contact each record company to individually obtain permission before being able to lawfully play a track at its premises in the UK. We are delighted to be working with Eska to communicate the importance of IP to those in the music industry.
Eska (pictured) commented: “Without the legal acknowledgement of my IP, I would not be paid fairly for my musical creations and would not be able to continue to make music for people to enjoy. Many people can be short-sighted and only see the megastars and high-profile legal battles, but IP rights exist to protect us all.
"IP should be celebrated. The UK is home to many wonderful intangible inventions whether its technology, art, or music. We are a bunch of highly intellectual and creative people and without IP laws in place, no one would know it.”
In 2015, PPL collected £197 million in royalties from businesses on behalf of performers and record companies when their recorded music was played in public, both in the UK and internationally. This was a 5% uplift on 2014.
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