Introduction to clearing music at the BBC

What is music copyright?

• Music copyright is the legal protection given to the creators of music. Copyright enables composers, recording artists, musicians and other creatives to be recognised and paid for their work.

  If a piece of music is protected by copyright this means that you must not broadcast it without clearing it, reporting it and paying for it.

What is music copyright?

• Legal protection given to creators of music
• Allowing us to use music however we like

History of PPL

PRS stands for

PPL stands for

Which of the below do you use to check composer, writer and music publisher rights?

• 
   
• 
   
• 
   

How does it work at the BBC?

Complete the missing words in the clearance process below

You can use a FastClear request for background/ incidental music

• True
• False

I can use FastClear to clear for public service use on third party website such as YouTube

• True
• False

The only time you can do a Fast clearance for library music is if the label appears on the MCPS list

• True
• False

The blanket agreement- what to know

Which of the below do you use to check composer rights?

• 
   
• 
   
• 
   

Look at the statements below and answer whether they are True or False

• True
  False
• The BBC has a Blanket agreement with all big artists and record labels. Therefore I can use anything I find on the BBC music system, Desktop Dukebox!
• The BBC's Blanket agreement is drawn up in agreement with the large legal companies PPL and PRS who represent musicians, composers and artists.
• There is an artist exemption list for the BBC which changes regularly.
• I can use music if I have checked the process via PPL and PRS
• I must clear music via the BBC's Fastclear system once I have checked I can use it via PPL and PRS.
• The blanket agreement is a yearly paid license allowing the BBC to use PRS licensed music.
• We still need to complete a music cue sheet to report music covered by the BBC blanket agreement?

What do I do if my music isn't on the blanket agreement with the BBC?

The process we should follow at the BBC is listed below.

Add the correct tool you should use for points 1-2 and 3-4

That' the end of the introductory course to clearing music. The next course will take you through how use FastClear! Enjoy!