I really can't do this again, but in response to caledonian's post.
PRS and PPL are member organisations. ANYONE who produces IP content - as in the composers, studios, musicians etc can join and while the system is nowhere near perfect, it offers the ONLY chance most of us have of getting paid. Most countries operate similar systems and it does mean that if somebody in America uses a piece of English music created by a member, and that user is an individual or company who operate legally and morally, then a payment may be triggered.
It costs nothing to join as a member, membership fees are only deducted once you have earnings. Many members never get anything, but the system exists so that if a piece of their music gets picked up and used in a radio advert, or youtube video - money is earned. It's considerably more than Spotify and iTunes pay, but does of course miss loads of use by smaller video companies and small venues, as they distribute the income by a system that favours the big names, and big broadcasters like the BBC and independent radio.
I'm VERY happy to leave it in the hands of PRS, MCPS and PPL, because without them, I have no way of generating any money for my work. It's quite common for PRS to require 1% of the box office take at theatres - and with thousands of seats at lots of dosh - that is a sizeable amount of money. The theatres would prefer not to pay, but it's simply a running cost.
Frankly - I understand people hate the idea of paying for music - that's a common opinion, but these people are not music makers, they are music consumers. On this forum we spend lots of time responding to people who have had logos pinched, business names copied, product designs stolen - and everyone says this is terrible and needs stamping out - trace them to the IP court iOS the common cry. Music though generates the total opposite response. I don't know why!
If anyone isn't a member of PRS, and finds out their IP content has been used, PRS (and PPL) have a nice simple system where you stick in a claim, and then you sign up and get the money. They do have funds collected they are unable to distribute, and always happy to pay it out.
...sorry!
