13 - Performing rights, performers, mechanical rights and moral rights

Abstract

This chapter discusses the performing rights, performers, mechanical rights, and moral rights. The expression “performing rights” means, in the case of literary, dramatic, or musical works, the restricted act of performing the work in public. The performing rights and broadcasting rights in the music in the case of virtually every British composer are vested in the performing right society limited (PRS). The most difficult issue that arises in connection with performing rights is the definition of public. The expression is not defined in the copyright act. The mechanical-copyright protection society (MCPS) and the British copyright protection society (BRITICO) license the recording and re-recording of a many musical works on behalf of composers and publishers and collect the royalties in respect thereof.