Producers’ Collective Licensing Organisations responses to Covid-19

In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, global producers’ collective licensing organisations (aka MLCs – Music Licensing Companies) have launched a number of initiatives to support their memberships and the wider music community.

Relief funds and advances have emerged as a direct way of providing financial support to those in need across the industry, in addition to efforts to engage with local governments and ensure that music companies are covered by government support schemes.

This is a global overview. For collecting societies action specific to Europe, please visit IMPALA’s dedicated site: impalamusic-covid19.info/collecting-societies-mobilisation


AUSTRALIA – PPCA

PPCA has implemented a one-off arrangement for advances for Australian Registered Artists, calculated at 25% of the average of their pre-tax PPCA earnings over the last three years. The advance is capped at AUD $10,000, with a minimum threshold of $250.

PPCA is in dialogue with the Australian Federal government to ensure the concerns of the sector are being considered. This has included working to ensure that economy-wide employment assistance measures implemented can apply to the music industry.

BRAZIL – ECAD

ECAD and the associations that comprise it (including UBC, Abramus and Socinpro) are making a distribution advance of R$14 million that will benefit 22 thousand Brazilian composers, musicians and performers. The first instalment was paid in April and last payment will be made in June.

BRAZIL – UBC

UBC is paying advances of R$600,00 and R$900,00 to eligible artists, with recoupment on these advances beginning 3 months following the declaration of the end of the public state of emergency.

50% of the distribution of prescribed monies that would normally be paid in December 2020 will be brought forward to September 2020.

UBC has further launched the #JuntosPelaMúsica initiative, which brings together actions, open calls and relief projects – from governments and companies – for the artistic sector. As part of this, and in partnership with Spotify, they have set up a R$1 million matchmaking fund.

CANADA – RE:SOUND

Re:Sound joined with other music and authors’ collectives in making an emergency joint submission to the federal government regarding steps to allow creators to maximise their eligibility for government support.

CHILE – PROFOVI

PROFOVI distributes rights quarterly and makes advances of 40% of the liquidation of the previous trimester in the months in which there are no payments. Therefore, member labels receive money every month of the year.

The situation for smaller record labels is being reviewed to assess whether other help is required.

INDIA – PPL INDIA

PPL India remains committed to their payout schedules, and the February 2020 distribution cycle was paid as normal. Discussions are to take place with major label members for phased payouts, to help meet payment obligations to smaller label members.

NEW ZEALAND – RECORDED MUSIC NZ

Recorded Music NZ has been providing regular support to the music sector and has published a Covid-19 resources page with financial assistance available.

Recorded Music NZ has led the music sector in a request to government for assistance. A letter was sent on behalf of Recorded Music NZ, APRA-AMCOS, NZ Promoters Association, MMF and IMNZ asking government for a number of measures for immediate assistance, and further measures to assist the industry with recovery and return to productivity in the coming months and years ahead.

Recorded Music NZ is one of the supporters of industry-wide fundraising initiative MusicHelps Covid-19 Emergency Grant. The first tranche of grants was paid on 20th April and will continue to be paid in following months, dependent on the funds that are raised.

NIGERIA – COSON

COSON has initiated the Anti-Coronavirus Emergency Relief Distribution to support performer and label members. An initial payment of 50 million Naira has been shared amongst 4500 registered members.

PARAGUAY – SGP

SGP, along with authors, performers and producers’ entities, created specific reports outlining the economic impact across the industry. A meeting has been requested with government authorities. SGP has engaged with members that are well-known and influential artists in Paraguay as part of this process.

A minimum payment equivalent to $84 USD was established for members who did not generate revenue in the period corresponding to scheduled payments.

SOUTH AFRICA – IMPRA

IMPRA has been engaging the South African Broadcasting Corporation to try and speedy up the processing of Needletime Payments.

TAIWAN – ARCO

ARCO has collected information on the impact of the epidemic from member record labels and requested for government special measures through RIT (IFPI Taiwan office).

THAILAND – PNR

PNR is gathering information on the impact of the epidemic.

USA – SOUNDEXCHANGE

SoundExchange distributed a total of $224 million during the first quarter of 2020, which reflects swift action taken by the company to maintain monthly distributions to as many as 200,000+ music creators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to royalty payments, SoundExchange joined other music industry organisations in advocating for music creators to be eligible for financial assistance provided in the recently-passed CARES Act legislation. As a result of this collective effort, music creators can access assistance provided in the recently enacted $2 trillion CARES Act stimulus package.

SoundExchange is further aggregating financial resources available to music creators, and will be providing payees with guides to help them access these resources.


Last updated: June 1st 202

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