PPL
Public Performance Licence
In the UK, the right to publicly perform the majority (but not all) sound recordings is administered
by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), which operates under the terms of the Copyright Designs and
Patents Act 1988 (1911 Copyright Act in the Channel Islands). The Act ensures that a fee is paid to the
copyright owner of the sound recording whenever it is broadcast or played in public.
FAQ
My club has a PPL Licence, do I need one?
Your club will have its own licence to play music over its stereo system, but this will not cover
individual instructors during classes. A club can ask to upgrade its licence to include named
instructors, but this will cost them more.
Can I play downloaded music off my MP3?
As it stands, you are unable to create your own playlist using your MP3 or computer to play in your
class, as this is deemed to be creating your own album which requires a Pro Dub Licence.
I pay for my CDs, why do I have to pay for a licence to play them?
When you buy a CD it only gives you the right to use it for private use such as playing at home or in
your car. If you wish to use it in a commercial environment – such as background music in a shop – you
require a licence from the rights owner.
If I had a PPL licence previously, will it automatically be renewed?
No it will not. As standard, we do not automatically include a licence within a membership.
If I have a PPL licence already then can I purchase Multitrax Music?
Yes you can. All customers can join as a complimentary pro lite member and purchase music product or
alternatively join as a member and use 100% of your credits towards products. You must confirm to us that
you have a PPL licence and we must record that you have confirmed this should it need to be verified.
If I am training to become a teacher, do I need a PPL Licence?
It depends on how you are training. You need a PPL Licence whenever you are teaching in public using
music by original artists, bought from a shop, downloaded or from a specialist supplier such as
Multitrax.
Latest News
PPL Licence Press Release
From January 2009, instructors in the U.K. will no longer require multiple PPL Licenses to purchase
music. As a result, Multitrax is opening up its music catalogue to non-members, meaning that anyone
holding a current PPL licence will be able to purchase CDs from our library of music.
If you are holding two PPL Licenses though, don't worry. Wait until your license year ends and then you will only need 1 valid licence to play all music.
As part of this new licensing structure, Multitrax memberships are changing and new memberships will
be launched under the Multitrax Professional brand, launching later this month. The new memberships are
designed for our customers to get more from Multitrax, and to offer a complete fitness package
incorporating products, publications, programmes, education and events. Members will also benefit from
discounted rates and availability of all products, giving you more choice, more flexibility and more
value.
Multitrax music
will be available to purchase online at Multitrax where members will benefit from enhanced savings on purchases. Check back though, because our website
will be changing when Multitrax Professional launches.
Current members will be contacted with all the details and updates, and will automatically be
transferred to the new membership programme with an added bonus. More details will be released in the
upcoming online Trax Magazine so look out for it in your mailbox. Multitrax will also be offering
complimentary Pro Lite membership which enables you to purchase discounted products and receive trax
online magazine.
Current trax online subscribers will automatically be transferred to Pro Lite members.