Education
Know Your Rights as a UK Musician
Plain-English musician rights guides covering music copyright, songs, royalties, performance rights, contracts and practical support routes. Written for working musicians, not lawyers.
Important: These guides are for general education only and do not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always seek professional advice for your specific situation.
Popular rights questions
Start with the issue you searched for
These are the core areas where UK musicians most often need a plain-English first step before speaking to a society, lawyer, accountant, manager or label.
music copyright UK
Songs, recordings and copyright for musicians
Understand how UK copyright protects original songs and sound recordings, and what evidence to keep.
music royalties UK
Royalty routes and royalty checks
Separate PRS, MCPS, PPL, distributor income and the admin that helps musicians find missing royalties.
performance rights
Performer rights, live performance and PPL
See how performer rights differ from songwriter royalties, live fees and PRS reporting.
legal advice for musicians UK
Finding independent music legal advice
Know when a lawyer is worth it, what to prepare, and how to check professional credentials.
Industry access
Get into better rooms with better preparation
These guides focus on the practical work behind opportunities: how to approach labels, build music-business proof, network with care and get deal-ready before momentum arrives.
Getting Music to Record Labels
How to approach UK labels with a focused target list, clean rights, useful evidence and a stronger deal position.
Read guideMusic Industry Jobs
How to find entry routes across labels, publishing, live, rights, royalties, marketing, studios and artist services.
Read guideMusic Industry Networking
Practical networking habits for UK musicians: scene maps, small asks, follow-ups, boundaries and useful signal.
Read guideArtist Deal Readiness
How to prepare rights, splits, evidence, alternatives and legal support before label, publishing or management terms arrive.
Read guideStart here before signing
Deal protection resources
These guides help artists spot the difference between a serious opportunity and a structure that quietly takes too much control.
Good Management Is Artist Infrastructure
Why fair music deals need artist protection, sustainable management economics and transparent label investment.
Read guideBad Music Deals
A deep red-flag guide to all-income commissions, exclusive management, power of attorney, owned-label conflicts and bad deal structures.
Read guide360 Deals Explained
Understand how multi-rights deals work, what income they can touch and how to spot unfair control or recoupment terms.
Read guideBefore Signing Checklist
A practical contract review checklist for rights, term, territory, exclusivity, money, recoupment, audit and exit clauses.
Read guideContracts
Understand what you're signing before you commit. Recording deals, publishing agreements, management contracts, and more.
Royalties
Make sense of music royalties in the UK. How different royalties work, how to run a royalties check and how to collect what you're owed.
Copyright
Your songs and recordings are automatically protected. How UK music copyright works, what you own, and how to protect your music.
Publishing
Understand music publishing and songwriter rights. Publishers, administration, PROs, and self-publishing explained.
Live Performance
Know your rights when playing live, from gig fees and setlists to performance rights and performing rights regulations in the UK.
AI and Music
Navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI in music. How AI affects your rights and what protections exist.
Session Work
Guidance for session musicians on contracts, payments, and credits. Protect yourself when working for others.
Getting Paid
Practical guidance on invoicing, chasing payments, and tax basics. Keep better records and get paid on time.
Splits and Credits
Document collaborations properly from the start. Why splits matter and how to have difficult conversations early.
Starting Out
Essential guidance for musicians early in their career. Start with the right knowledge and avoid common mistakes.