A plain-English glossary of PPL PRS and music-licensing terms
The jargon, decoded. Every term that turns up on a PPL PRS letter or invoice, in plain English.
Music-licensing paperwork is full of jargon, and the confusion is part of why so many businesses overpay. Here’s what the terms that show up on your PPL PRS letters and invoices actually mean.
- TheMusicLicence — the single licence, issued by PPL PRS Ltd, that covers both the PPL and PRS for Music rights for playing music in public.
- PPL — the society that collects for record labels and performers (the recording).
- PRS for Music — the society that collects for songwriters and publishers (the song).
- PPL PRS Ltd — the joint venture that issues TheMusicLicence and handles the billing.
- Public performance — playing music where customers or staff can hear it; this is what needs a licence.
- Tariff — the rate schedule for your type of business (shops, pubs, gyms, etc.). Each has a code, like PPLPP211 or ‘RS’.
- Audible area — the customer-facing floor area where music can be heard; a key factor in many tariffs. Storerooms and staff-only areas shouldn’t be counted.
- Higher royalty rate — a first-year surcharge (standard + 50%) that applies if you played music before getting licensed. It should only apply to your first licensed year.
- Backdating — a claim for prior unlicensed use, which can reach back up to six years.
- SFE (Specially Featured Entertainment) — a tariff for occasions where music is the main draw (DJ nights, discos), charged on top of background music.
- Background music — music played for atmosphere rather than as a featured event; the most common and usually cheapest usage type.
- Re-indexing — the routine annual adjustment of tariffs, usually broadly in line with inflation.
- Minimum fee — the lowest annual charge a society applies (PRS for Music’s is around £133.40).
- VPL — a third society, for music videos, relevant if you show them publicly.
If there’s a term or code on your bill that isn’t here and you’re not sure what it means, send it over — we’ll explain it in plain English and check it’s being applied correctly. No savings, no fee.
- What is PPL PRS? TheMusicLicence explained →
- The 50% higher royalty rate explained →
- How audible area affects your music licence →
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Related guides
Music licence UK: what it is, who needs one and what it costsEverything a UK business needs to know about the music licence — what it is, who needs one, what it costs, and how not to overpay.Do I need a music licence for my business?If customers or staff can hear music, the answer is usually yes. Here’s the honest version.What is PPL PRS? TheMusicLicence explained for UK businessesPPL, PRS for Music, PPL PRS Ltd, TheMusicLicence — here’s what each one actually is, and what it means for your business.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and MLC is an independent consultancy — not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PRS for Music or PPL.