How To Register for PPL

PPL is the UK’s music licensing organisation that collects and distributes royalties on behalf of performers and recording rightsholders. If you’re a Scottish musician who has performed on recorded music, PPL my pay you royalties whenever your tracks are played in public spaces, broadcast on TV or radio, or streamed online.

PPL membership is free to join, with no membership fees or annual charges. The PPL operates on a not-for-profit basis, and helps ensure performers receive fair compensation for their creative work.

Important: Not all performances qualify for royalties. Your performance must be audible on the final recording and meet certain legal criteria based on where the recording took place or your citizenship at the time. The performance must also have occurred in a ‘qualifying country’ under UK law, which includes all EU member states and many other countries.

Who can join?

Anyone who has performed on recorded music can become a PPL member. Your contributions might include playing instruments, vocals, backing vocals, electronic contributions, or even conducting during a recording session.

How to join

Joining PPL is straightforward and can be completed through their online registration system. 

Have the following information and documentation ready:

Personal Details: Your full contact information, including your current address and phone number.

Banking Information: Have your bank account details ready, including account number and sort code, as this is where your royalties will be paid.

Tax Details: You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number or relevant tax information to comply with HMRC requirements.

Proof of Identity: PPL requires verification documents including proof of your signature, date of birth, and current address. Acceptable documents typically include a passport, driving licence, or utility bills. The PPL provides a full list of acceptable identity documents on their website  

Start by visiting the PPL website and accessing the Performer registration form. Work through each section entering your details as requested. You’ll then need to upload documents proving your identity and address.

Once you’ve completed all sections of the online form, you’ll need to print the completed registration document, sign it physically, and return it to PPL as instructed.

After PPL processes your application and verifies your documentation, you’ll receive confirmation of your membership and can begin accessing your myPPL portal.

Collecting royalties

After becoming a PPL member, you’ll need to claim your performances on recordings in PPL’s repertoire database.

Log into your myPPL online portal and search the database for recordings you’ve performed on. If you find tracks where you’re not listed as a performer, you can submit a claim to be added to the performer line-up. When making a claim, you’ll select a role that identifies your contribution, such as ‘BVC’ for backing vocals, ‘GTR’ for guitar, or other appropriate codes.

PPL may request evidence to verify your performance claim, so keep documentation such as recording contracts, studio notes, or album credits handy. If a track you performed on isn’t in the PPL database at all, contact the recording rightsholder and request they add it.

Once your performances are registered and verified, PPL will automatically calculate and distribute your royalties when those recordings generate income through public performance, broadcasts, or other licensed uses. Payments are typically made quarterly, directly to your registered bank account.