Clearances

Performing Rights Society (PRS) represents an individuals' piece of music and their rights whenever it is played or performed in a public place, such as on television, online, shops, restaurants and bars, concerts, public events or on the radio. Every time this occurs the composer of the piece of music is paid a royalty fee.

Songwriters and composers, once licensed with PRS, rights are protected as payments are distributed to and from PRS frequently from its members and those who use the music. 

Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) also represent its members whenever their work is reproduced physically, which can be on CD's or online. 

MCPS and PRS have joined together so that the original owners of their piece of music are fully protected in every case. Therefore production companies must get the owners, or those who represent them, to give them consent so that they can include their content in their production with written permission. The rightful owner would then receive a royalty fee as well as some recognition as to who composed the piece. This then protects the production company from any legal issues with the individual if they were to not receive permission.

Clearances are required when you want to include brands, photographs, brands or music in your production. Therefore, you must have written consent from the owners of the content before you can use them. Otherwise, including content without permission can result in legal action taking place such as a fine or being sued from the companies or original owners. 

The same applies for gaining permission for filming on public locations or houses, as written consent must be given by higher authorities or the owner of the location.

All actors must also sign release forms agreeing to participate in the production, in order to protect the production company from legal action which may restrict filming.