PRS for Music is facing legal action against the songwriter over concert royalties

A collaboration between The Jesus and Mary Chain and King Crimson’s Robert Fripp sounds like an intriguing evening. Unfortunately for PRS for Music, they do not collaborate musically but instead come together to sue the UK collecting society.

The lawsuit focuses on the licensing of live concerts and the accusation of a group of 10 plaintiffs (including Fripp and JMC) that the main songwriters get “wonderful” royalty deals – subsidized by songwriters further down the pyramid.

The lawsuit also attacks barriers that it says PRS for Music puts in the way of songwriters who try to strip the public of their rights and licenses directly to promoters, venues and festivals.

The lawsuit is being led by a company called Pace Rights Management, which works with songwriters to obtain just this type of direct licensing. The Guardian has the full story, including PRS for Music’s response that it will “strongly defend the public against these claims.”

This is PRS for Music’s second legal hit this year, with Blur drummer Dave Rowntree bringing a claim against the society at the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal over ‘black box’ royalties.