How to Register with PPL as an Artist & Rights Holder
By Written by Peter McVeigh
A complete walkthrough of PPL registration for recording artists, session musicians, and record labels, including how to claim your recordings and collect neighbouring rights.
What is PPL?
PPL (formerly Phonographic Performance Limited) is a UK music licensing company that collects and distributes royalties on behalf of recording artists and record labels (also known as "master rights holders").
PPL is different from PRS. Here is a simple way to remember the difference: PRS pays the songwriters (the people who wrote the song) PPL pays the performers and record labels (the people who recorded the song)
When a song is played on the radio, for example, two sets of royalties are generated: 1. A PRS royalty paid to the songwriter/composer 2. A PPL royalty paid to the recording artist and their record label
If you're both the songwriter AND the recording artist (which is common for independent musicians), you should join both PRS and PPL.
Who Should Join PPL?
You should join PPL if you're: A recording artist or performer who appears on commercial recordings A session musician who has performed on recordings A record label or rights holder who owns the master recording
You do NOT need a record deal or a major label behind you. Independent artists who release their own music on platforms like Spotify or via CD Baby, DistroKid, or Tunecore can and should join PPL to collect neighbouring rights royalties.
Step-by-Step: How to Register with PPL
Step 1: Visit the PPL website Go to www.ppluk.com and click "Join PPL" in the navigation menu.
Step 2: Choose your membership type Performer you perform/play/sing on recordings Rights Holder you own the master recordings (record label, independent artist who self-releases) Both (most independent artists should select both)
Step 3: Fill in the online registration form You'll need: Your full legal name / stage name Date of birth Email address and contact details Bank account details for payments
Step 4: PPL membership is FREE Unlike PRS, there is no joining fee for PPL. It's completely free to become a PPL member.
Step 5: Verify your account PPL will send a verification email. Click the link to activate your account.
Step 6: Log in to the PPL portal Access your member account at members.ppluk.com
Step 7: Claim your recordings This is the critical step. See the next section.
How to Register Your Recordings with PPL
PPL pays royalties based on recordings (the actual sound files), not songs. You need to claim each recording you've appeared on or own.
As a Performer: 1. In the PPL portal, go to "Recordings" 2. Search for your recording by title, artist name, or ISRC code 3. If found, click "Claim" and submit your claim as a featured or non-featured performer 4. If not found, click "Add a New Recording" and enter the details manually
As a Rights Holder: 1. Go to "Repertoire" in the portal 2. Click "Add Recording" 3. Enter: • Track title • Artist name • ISRC code (if you've one, highly recommended) • Label name (your own name if self-releasing) • Release date • Performers on the recording 4. Submit and PPL will review and approve it
What is an ISRC code? An International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a unique identifier for each recording. Most digital distribution services (CD Baby, Tunecore, DistroKid) will assign ISRCs to your recordings automatically. Always record these and use them when registering with PPL.
What Royalties Will PPL Collect for You?
PPL collects Neighbouring Rights royalties, which are generated whenever a recording is: Broadcast on radio (BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, commercial stations, etc.) Broadcast on TV Played in public places shops, restaurants, gyms, hotels, nightclubs (via a PPL licence that the venue holds) Streamed on certain digital platforms (though most streaming royalties go through the label's deal directly)
Royalties are distributed twice a year for most radio/broadcast income.
PPL Performer Royalty Split: When a recording is played, PPL splits the royalty between: Featured artists (e.g. the main recording artist) typically 65% Non-featured performers (e.g. session musicians, backing vocalists) typically 35%
The exact split depends on the number of performers and their roles on the recording.