The Music Venue Trust (MVT) has launched a major campaign called 'Set The Record Straight' to challenge what it describes as unfair and opaque licensing practices by PRS For Music. The campaign highlights systemic issues in how fees are calculated for grassroots music venues across the UK, with discrepancies totaling over £666,000.
MVT, which represents hundreds of small UK music venues, alleges that PRS's billing methods are based on estimated usage and maximum theoretical capacity rather than actual attendance. In one extreme case, a £90,000 error was identified—an amount that could force a venue to close permanently.
Dylan Clarke, booker at the 600-capacity venue The Brook in Southampton, shared his frustrating experience with PRS, involving approximately 1,000 emails between his accountant and the organization, followed by periods of silence and then unexpectedly large invoices.
PRS For Music, which collects and distributes royalties when music is performed publicly, states that accurate event data and setlist submissions are crucial for ensuring songwriters are paid. However, MVT's investigation found widespread problems, including incorrect capacity calculations and unclear liability between promoters and venues.
The campaign calls for greater transparency, fairer fee structures, and a system that ensures money reaches the intended artists rather than disappearing into what MVT calls 'black holes' of unclaimed royalties.