BECS Latest News

This year's non-contractual payments of revenue for performers in film and television is nearing completion. 

Approximately £6 million in extra revenue not linked to contracts has been negotiated for the 2010 distribution by Equity and BECS. 

A Payment Query line has been set up for anyone with any questions about their payments from BECS.  Contact us on 020 7670 0360.   

Please note that BECS has a new address and telephone number:

BECS, Guild House, Upper St Martin's Lane, London, WC2H 9EG

Switchboard: 020 7670 0350

The general email address remains unchanged as becs@equity.org.uk

Have you contributed to a sound recording that received radio airplay between 1996 and 2003?  If so, you need to submit a claim to PPL before 26th July for radio royalties collected for your sound recording during this period of time.   

PPL has informed us that the deadline for submitting claims for sound recordings used between 1996 and 2003 has been extended until 26th July.  After 26th July you will only be able to claim for the use of sound recordings in the previous six years.      

Here is PPL’s full notification to performers who could benefit from submitting a claim for these old monies:  

PPL had previously communicated that after 26th April 2010, any accepted claims will only receive distributions for sound recording usage within the applicable six year statutory limitation period. 

Although we have received a high volume of claims to date, following a number of requests from various members, we have decided to extend the claims deadline to allow some extra time for members to make claims relating to sound recording usage between 1996 and 2003.  We are therefore extending the deadline from 26th April to 26th July 2010.  This means that up until 26th July 2010, we will continue to accept claims under the existing discretionary policy for income relating to use of a track between 1996 and 2003. 

After 26th July 2010 any accepted claims will only receive distributions for sound recording usage within the applicable six year statutory limitation period. 

We hope that this extension of time will be of benefit to our members.

If you have any questions about this please contact PPL performer services on 0207 534 1234. 

While British performers benefit from private copying levies collected in other European countries like France and Spain, no such benefit exists at home because there is no private copying levy in the UK.  BECS is arguing for this to change in order to bring the UK into line with its European neighbours.  

BECS has responded to the latest Government consultation on changes to the scope of copyright exceptions recognised within the UK.

If new exceptions allow copies of films and sound recordings to be made ‘for research and private study’, it must be recognised that, in many EU Member States, this use is covered by the collection of private copying levies.

BECS’ members benefit from these levies since payments are collected by BECS under its agreements with foreign collecting societies.

BECS is committed to arguing for a level playing field for audiovisual performers in the UK.  This will not only benefit British performers, but also ensure that European performers finally receive some compensation for their work being copied in the UK.

You can view BECS’ response to this important consultation here.

PPL, the organisation responsible for paying out radio airplay royalties, have asked us to inform our members about an important change that is being made to their distribution policy. 

If you are a member of PPL or if you are likely to claim money for airplay royalties from PPL, please read the text from their Performer Services below as it may concern you.  

Any questions should be addressed to PPL directly – Tel: 020 7534 1234.  

PPL Policy change to bring benefits to both performers and record companies.

Up to now, PPL, has at its discretion, operated a policy of seeking to distribute monies to members relating to sound recording usage from as far back as 1996 (or in respect of record company members, from the date of joining PPL). This has previously applied even where income relates to usage falling outside the six year statutory limitation period.

With effect from July 2010, as part of our ongoing systems development programme, we are intending to change this policy so that we will only distribute income relating to sound recording usage within the applicable statutory limitation period of six years.

Up until 26 April 2010, we will continue to accept claims under the existing discretionary policy for income relating to use of a track between 1996 and 2003.  After 26 April 2010, any accepted claims will only receive distributions for sound recording usage within the applicable six year statutory limitation period. Because of this it is important that you ensure that we have all of your up-to-date details.

This change of policy will enable PPL to release previously undistributable income to its members (relating to sound recording usage between 1996 and 2003). This discretionary release of income will be carried out in accordance with guidelines to be set by the PPL Board and Performer Board.

This is a positive change that will ensure that held income is distributed within a reasonable period of time.

The PPL website is www.ppluk.com.  

Click on the link below to take you to an electronic verion of this year's annual report. 

Read about the key facts and figures behind this year's record collection of revenue for performers in British film and television productions.

Click here to read the report