ARTISTS

FAQ

  11. How are the Artist representatives on the PPCA Board selected?
  12. How to help safeguard copyright in your recordings?

We receive numerous questions relating to public performance rights and copyright, so we’ve put together a quick 'Q&A' of some of the most popular questions we are asked.

For FAQ's relating to licensors and licensing click on the relevant link below:

I thought APRA looked after all broadcast and performance rights. What is the difference?

There are at least two copyrights in any recording:


(i) The copyright in the written song, composition or lyrics (i.e., the “musical work” in copyright language). APRA grants licences for the broadcast and public performance rights in the musical work and distributes to songwriters and their publishers; and


(ii) The copyright in the recorded version of the musical work. PPCA grants licences for the broadcast communication and public performance of the recording and distributes to record labels and Australian recording artists.

The practical effect of this distinction is that the broadcast, communication or public performance of a recording usually requires two licences – one from APRA and one from PPCA or each copyright owner (usually the
record company).

Where does the money go?

At the end of each financial year, PPCA calculates the amount available to be distributed to Australian recording artists (after the deduction of administration costs). This process takes some months and these amounts are distributed in December of each year. The funds available for distribution are allocated on a track-by-track basis.


After deducting an amount equivalent to 2.5% for allocation to charitable, educational and like purposes (including the PPCA Performers’ Trust Foundation, which administers grants for the encouragement of the performing arts), where a featured Australian artist has registered under the Artist Direct Distribution Scheme half of the funds available for each track go to the registered Australian artist(s) and the other half goes to the relevant record label.


For all other recordings, the funds payable in respect of the relevant track are sent to the controlling record label for distribution to artists in accordance with their individual record company agreements.

Why is my APRA cheque so much more than my PPCA cheque?

This is a very commonly asked question and there are a number of reasons why PPCA’s collections are substantially lower than those of APRA. These include limitations in the Copyright Act which apply to sound recordings (PPCA), but not to musical works (APRA). These include:


• A cap on the fees payable by radio broadcasters (including the ABC);


• The inability to grant licences for unprotected recordings (please see www.ppca.com.au for the complete definition of unprotected recordings); and


• The inability to grant licences to premises playing only the radio or TV (except music on hold).

I am an Australian recording artist and also have my own record label. Should I register with the PPCA as a Licensor as well?

Yes, because we can only collect and make payments (including artist payments) if we have an agreement with the copyright owner or exclusive licensee of the recording. You need to register as a copyright owner (licensor). This is done by signing what we call an Input Agreement, which is a document under which you authorise PPCA to collect public performance communication and broadcast royalties on your behalf on a non-exclusive basis. More information and registration forms can be found in the Licensors section of this website under Labels/Indie Artists.

 

Does PPCA collect royalties for me when I do live performances in a venue?

No. PPCA collects in relation to sound recordings and music videos only, not live performances.

Who runs PPCA?

PPCA was founded in 1969 by the major record companies. These companies hold shares but are not entitled to any dividends. The current shareholders are EMI, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music and Warner Music.


The board of PPCA is currently made up of eight directors comprised of the nominated representatives of the four shareholders, two directors representing the registered artists, one representing artist managers and one representing the non-shareholding licensors.


The day-to-day management of PPCA is delegated to the chief executive officer who is appointed by the board.

How does PPCA determine which recordings share in the distributable licence fee income?

PPCA distributions are based on extensive airplay logs from free to air and subscription broadcasters and music video programs supplemented by additional information from major licensees. This data is then matched to our database of sound recordings which retains details of entitled parties. For more information see our Distribution Policy.

I have only just registered with PPCA as a recording artist. Am I entitled to any PPCA distributions?

Each December, PPCA distributes the entire surplus achieved during the most recent financial year. If the copyright owner authorised PPCA to license on their behalf and you did not lodge a direct artist registration, all of the earnings for relevant tracks would have been passed on to the controlling record label. The distribution statements display all earnings on a track-by-track basis, and clearly indicate whether or not an artist has received a direct distribution. This information is made available to allow the record companies to deal with income as required by individual artist contracts.


If you were not registered and feel there is PPCA income that has not yet been displayed on your statement, you should contact the relevant copyright owner for more information.

When I register as a recording artist, will I receive payments for previous years?

No. PPCA Distributions are made annually and no funds are held in reserve for artists who haven't registered by the cut off date each year.

Does PPCA have branches outside Sydney?

No. However, you can reach us via email at distribution.mail@ppca.com.au and staff members are available to answer your questions on (02) 8569 1133.

How are the Artist representatives on the PPCA Board selected?

For well over a decade, PPCA has had artist representatives on its board of directors. The board currently includes three artist representative directors, two of which are elected by the registered artists and one representative appointed from the artist management sector.


Each December the two-year term of one of the elected artist representatives expires, and an election is held to fill the position. As a result, the board always includes an elected artist representative with at least one year’s experience at board level. This system was initiated to ensure that continuity of artist representation is achieved, having regard to the complexity and length of time various issues take to complete.


To be appointed as a representative, any artist nominated must be a Financial Registered Artist (i.e., currently registered with the PPCA Direct Artist Distribution Scheme, and the recipient of a direct distribution for the most recently completed year).


In January each year, all Financial Artists are invited to submit a nomination for the artist representative ballot.
After the nomination deadline we check with all nominees to ensure that they are willing to participate in the election process and, if successful, serve on the board for the coming two years.


PPCA proceeds with the election after contacting all nominees. Ballot papers, together with a prepaid envelope, are forwarded to all registered artists who have, at any time, received an allocation or payment from PPCA.

All nominees are offered the opportunity to provide biographical details, and the list of participating nominees, together with the data provided is posted to the website.


Be part of the process – lodge a nomination and don’t forget to vote for your board representatives!