# UK Copyright Tribunal Supports PRS for Music in Cinema Licensing

> UK’s Copyright Tribunal approves higher music royalties for cinemas after 20-year dispute with UKCA.
- Title: UK Copyright Tribunal Supports PRS for Music in Cinema…
- Summary: UK’s Copyright Tribunal approves higher music royalties for cinemas after 20-year dispute with UKCA. UK’s Copyright Tribunal upheld PRS for Music’s request…
- Keywords: uk copyright tribunal, prs for music, uk cinema association, tariff c, cinema licensing, royalty rates, music industry, film screenings, music, business, Copyright, Tribunal
- Source: Music Business Worldwide — https://musicbusinessworldwide.com/uks-copyright-tribunal-backs-prs-for-music-in-cinema-licensing-dispute
- Published: 2026-10-13T10:08:55+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: uk copyright tribunal, prs for music, uk cinema association, tariff c, cinema licensing, royalty rates, music industry, film screenings, music, business
## Tribunal Ruling
The UK’s Copyright Tribunal ruled in favor of PRS for Music in its dispute with the UK Cinema Association over cinema music licensing.
## Tariff C Changes
The Tribunal approved increased royalty rates for cinemas, effective from July 1, 2024, including 7.9p per admission up from 7.33p.
## New Royalty Calculation
Royalties will now be calculated solely on customer admissions, replacing a dual-metric system that allowed cinemas to pay as a percentage of ticket revenue.
## Industry Growth Argument
PRS argued the previous tariff, last negotiated over 20 years ago, no longer reflected the realities of today’s cinema industry with music’s share of film runtimes growing.
## Music Share Increase
Music’s share of UK film runtimes grew by 22% between 2005 and 2022, with PRS reporting a more recent figure of 17%.
## Royalty Shortfall
PRS calculated that the outdated tariff cost its members GBP £7 million in distributable royalties between 2005 and 2022.
## New Tariff Rates
The revised tariff sets a rate of 7.9p per admission, up from 7.33p, with annual minimum fees rising from £75 to £131.50 per screen.
## Next Steps
PRS plans to finalize the updated tariff with the UKCA and adjust interim royalty payments while the case remains unresolved.
## Key takeaway

UK’s Copyright Tribunal upheld PRS for Music’s request for increased cinema music royalties, raising rates from 7.33p to 7.9p per admission and boosting annual minimum fees from £75 to £131.50 per screen.