Session musician rights in the UK: complete guide

PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) collects royalties when recorded music is played on radio, TV, or in public places like shops and restaurants. These royalties are split 50/50 between the recording owner (usually a label) and the performers who played on the track. As a session musician, you are entitled to a share of the performer pot for recordings you played on. The exact amount depends on: - How much PPL collected for that recording - How many performers are credited - Your role (featured artists typically receive more than non-featured performers) To receive PPL royalties: 1. Register as a PPL performer 2. Ensure you are credited on the recordings you play on 3. Register your session performances with PPL Many session musicians miss out on PPL income because they are not credited or registered. Always confirm that you will be credited and follow up to ensure your registration is complete.

Equitable remuneration (ER) is a statutory right under UK law. When a recording featuring your performance is played on radio, TV, or in public, you are entitled to a fair share of the royalties - and this right cannot be signed away. Even if a contract says you waive all rights, or that the session fee covers all future uses, the equitable remuneration right survives. It can only be transferred to a collecting society (like PPL), not waived entirely. In practice, this means: - You can agree to a buyout of your performer's property rights (controlling how your performance is used) - But you cannot waive your right to equitable remuneration for public performance and broadcast This is an important protection. Even if you signed a contract years ago that appeared to buy out all your rights, you may still be entitled to ongoing ER payments through PPL.

When you do session work, the payment structure typically falls into one of these categories: Standard session fee: You are paid for the session, but retain your performer rights and are entitled to ongoing PPL royalties. This is common for many sessions. Buyout: You receive a higher fee in exchange for giving up certain rights. The contract may say you waive your performer's property rights (the right to control how your performance is used). However, remember that equitable remuneration cannot be waived. Work for hire / employment: If you are genuinely employed (not self-employed), different rules may apply. However, most session work is freelance. All-in fee: Sometimes fees are described as "all-in" or covering "all uses". Read carefully. This often refers to waiving your rights to additional payments from the producer or label, but should not affect your statutory ER rights through PPL. Key questions before any session: - What is the fee and what does it cover? - Will I be credited on the recording? - Am I waiving any rights, and which ones? - Will I receive PPL royalties?

Credit is essential for receiving PPL royalties. If you are not credited on a recording, PPL has no way of knowing you performed on it and cannot pay you. Before the session: - Confirm that you will be credited and how (your name as it appears on your PPL registration) - Provide your PPL performer number if you have one - Keep a record of the session details (date, artist, track titles) After the session: - Follow up to confirm you have been credited - Register the session with PPL (you can do this even if the producer/label also registers - it helps ensure accuracy) - Keep records in case of disputes If you discover you were not credited on a released recording, contact the artist, label, or producer to request a correction. PPL can sometimes help resolve credit disputes.

Always try to get session terms in writing before the session. This protects both you and the person hiring you. A session agreement should cover: - The fee and when it will be paid - What the fee covers (specific tracks, specific uses, or all uses) - Whether you will be credited - Whether you retain PPL royalty rights - Whether any rights are being bought out For smaller sessions, an email exchange confirming the terms is often sufficient. For larger projects or buyouts, a more formal contract may be appropriate. Red flags to watch for: - Pressure to sign immediately without time to review - Vague language about "all rights" without specifics - Clauses claiming to waive equitable remuneration (these may not be enforceable, but indicate the other party's intent) - No provision for credit If you are uncomfortable with any terms, discuss before the session. It is much harder to renegotiate after you have already performed.