Music Copyright - Info and FAQ

Why?

• The music we sing MUST be legal. LABBS has made every possible attempt to make sure we, as members, are not breaking the law but in the end it's down to each individual.
• If you copy music without going through the proper channels then a very hefty fine (expect £10,000 minimum) an appearance in court and a criminal record is what will be in store for you.
• If you sing illegal music in contest, you contravene the LABBS C&J rules, the penalty for which is disqualification.
• There is so much LEGAL music out there waiting to be bought and sung and so many people trying to make life easier for us as far as obtaining music is concerned we MUST take heed.

Converting men's arrangements into ladies' arrangements

If you are a member of LABBS please follow the instructions in the flowchart below. If you are not a member of LABBS please contact Marilyn Penketh for advice.

F.A.Q.

Possessing music without the permission of the publisher/copyright holder or agent acting on behalf of the publisher/copyright holder IS ILLEGAL and can result in huge fines. We owe it to the writers and composers of the music we love to sing to sing it legally! Here are some common questions and answers:

1. I have bought some sheet music and had it arranged What should I do about copyright?

   Email the Performing Right Society (PRS) at dataservices@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk to find out who is the current copyright holder. Send a copy of the arrangement to the copyright holder, enclosing an explanatory letter. Say how many copies you wish to make.

   It is wise to keep one copy of the piece as it is unlikely that your 'original' will be returned to you. Follow the instructions in the copyright holder's reply. Be aware that you may be refused.

2. There is no indication in my piece of music as to the copyright holder. What should I do?

   Get in touch with the PRS at dataservices@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk for advice.

3. I've received a copy of a barbershop arrangement from the Society's Old Songs Library (unpublished) and don't wish to sing it. What should I do?

   Either hold on to it until you do want to sing it, or return it.

4. I've received a copy of a barbershop arrangement from the Society's Old Songs Library (unpublished) and do wish to sing it. What should I do?

   As for #1.

5. I have bought a barbershop arrangement from Harmony Inc./LABBS/Sweet Adelines and now need further copies. What should I do?

   You should buy the further copies you require. Simply copying the music is prohibited by law and the fines are heavy.

6. How do I know who to pay so I can make further copies?

   If the music has "International Copyright Secured" on it you do not need to legalise it in the UK. It is already legal and you just need to purchase enough copies for each member from the vendor (or pay for permission to make the copies yourself). If the music does not indicate international copyright, then you will need to pay the copyright holder in the UK for the number of copies you need - see #1

7. I've bought a barbershop arrangement from BABS/SPEBSQSA, but of course it is written in the men's key. What should l do?

   You could blow a different pitch to sing it in a transposed key, in which case you need enough purchased copies for the chorus/quartet, or you could transpose it onto manuscript paper if you wish. See "Converting men's arrangements into ladies' arrangements" above.

8. We want to put on a Show in the Village Hall. What steps should we take?

   You should contact the publishers of the songs which will be sung for their authorisation. They may charge a fee for this. The Village Hall needs a PRS (blanket) licence in order for you to sing. It does not need to know the song titles. If the Village Hall does not hold a licence, you may apply to the PRS for a one-off permit which will cover you. The PRS does not need to know the song titles. A larger building such as a conference centre should hold a PRS licence and in addition, it may invoice you separately.

   If you wish to play your chorus/quartet video in the foyer, you also need a PRS and Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) licence. Ask the centre for advice.

9. On the way to barbershop events, we have often stopped off at Service Areas and burst into song spontaneously. Surely that isn't against the law?

   If you are singing for your own amusement, no licence fee is payable if you are in the open air. If you sing on premises where the public is admitted, then, strictly speaking, a licence fee is payable.

10. I bought the latest barbershop audio cassette of 'The Backstage Barbershop Headbangers!' and want to listen to it on my walkman whilst roller-blading through the park. Do I need a licence for that too?

    This is regarded as listening for your own amusement - no, you do not need a licence.

11. We want to make our own cassette / CD. How do we go about it?

    Get in touch with and pay the appropriate fee to the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) Ltd. Telephone O20-8664 4400 or email dataservices@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk for their guidance.