Setting up a PRS publisher account is not the same as joining PRS as a songwriter. UK independent labels that operate a publishing entity, sign songwriters, or administer catalogs on behalf of artists need to understand the publisher membership structure, how to open and manage publisher accounts, and how the publisher share interacts with writer shares.
Writer member vs publisher member: the fundamental difference
PRS for Music has two categories of membership with distinct rights and responsibilities. Writer members are individual songwriters and composers who register their compositions with PRS and collect their writer share of royalties. Publisher members are companies (or individuals operating a publishing entity) that have signed agreements with songwriters and are entitled to collect the publisher share of those songwriters' royalties. The publisher share of a PRS registered composition is typically 50% of the total composition royalty — the other 50% goes to the writer. A UK indie label that signs artists and administers their publishing needs a publisher account to collect the publisher share. Without a publisher account, the publisher share of every composition the label administers goes uncollected.
When does an indie label need a publisher account?
A UK indie label needs a PRS publisher account in any of the following scenarios:
- The label has signed a publishing deal with a songwriter, where the label collects the publisher share of that songwriter's compositions.
- The label operates a publishing administration service on behalf of artists in its roster, collecting the publisher share under an administration agreement.
- The label's founder or directors are also songwriters who have established a separate publishing entity to hold the publisher share of their own compositions.
- The label is acquiring catalog — buying publishing rights in existing compositions requires a publisher account to receive the publisher share of those compositions going forward.
- A label that only distributes recordings and does not hold any publishing rights in the compositions on those recordings does not need a publisher account — though it should ensure its signed artists have their own publishing setup in place.
How to open a PRS publisher account
Opening a PRS publisher membership for an indie label requires the following steps:
- Establish the publishing company: the publisher entity must be a company or trading name distinct from the label's distribution entity. It can be a limited company, a partnership, or a sole trader operating under a business name. The entity needs to have signed publishing agreements with at least one songwriter.
- Apply for PRS publisher membership at prsformusic.com. Publisher membership requires a one-time fee (currently £400) and proof of the publishing business — either a signed publishing agreement or, for a publishing administrator, a signed administration agreement.
- Provide the required documents: company details (company name, registration number if a limited company, contact details), a sample publishing or administration agreement, and identification for the company's directors.
- Once approved, the publisher entity is assigned a publisher IPI number — the Interested Party Information number that identifies the publishing entity in PRS's systems and in ISWC registrations.
How publisher accounts work with writer accounts
When a composition is registered with PRS, it lists the writers (each with their writer IPI) and the publisher (with the publisher IPI) and specifies the percentage split. A standard co-publishing arrangement might list a writer receiving 75% of the total (their 50% writer share plus 25% of the publisher share they have retained) and the label's publishing entity receiving 25% (the 25% of the publisher share they have acquired). PRS distributes royalties based on these percentages. The writer and publisher receive separate distributions — the writer to their writer member account, the publisher to their publisher member account.
The difference between a publishing deal and an administration deal
UK indie labels typically offer one of two publishing structures to their artists:
- Full publishing deal: the label acquires a percentage of the copyright in the songwriter's compositions (the publisher share) in exchange for administering those rights, pursuing sync placements, and advancing money against future royalties. The label retains the publisher share for the term of the agreement (often co-terminous with the recording deal). This is a significant commercial commitment.
- Publishing administration deal: the label administers the songwriter's compositions on their behalf — collecting the publisher share, registering with PRS and international societies, pursuing sync — but does not acquire any copyright ownership. The songwriter retains 100% of the copyright. The administrator takes a commission (typically 15–25% of what they collect) and the rest passes through to the songwriter. Administration deals are now more common than full publishing deals at the indie level, particularly for artists who understand the value of their copyrights.
Tax and VAT considerations for UK publishing labels
UK publishing entities receiving royalty income are subject to UK income tax or corporation tax on those royalties. If the publishing entity is VAT-registered and the activity involves B2B services (administration deals with artists), VAT considerations may apply depending on the residency of the songwriter and the nature of the services. UK-based publishing income from PRS distributions is not itself subject to VAT at the point of collection — PRS is the licensor and pays gross to publisher members. However, the commission the label charges to the artist for administration may be subject to VAT if the label is VAT-registered and the artist is UK-based. Seek specific tax advice for your entity structure.
How to handle co-publishing with an existing publisher
If a label signs an artist who already has a publishing deal with a third-party publisher, the label's publishing entity and the existing publisher hold shares in the same compositions. PRS registrations must accurately reflect the agreed split between the two publishers and the writer, or distributions will be incorrect. When acquiring co-publishing rights in compositions that are already registered, the label must notify PRS and provide the updated registration reflecting the new splits. This process requires co-operation from the existing publisher and the songwriter to confirm the agreed percentages.
Code Group Music provides publishing administration services for UK indie labels, covering PRS publisher account management, MCPS licensing, international royalty collection, and works registration. Our catalog assessment identifies the current state of publishing administration for your label's roster. Start at codegroupmusic.co.uk/#catalog-assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a PRS writer account and a publisher account under the same name?
You can be both a PRS writer member (in your personal capacity) and a publisher member (via a separate publishing entity you own or control). The writer account and publisher account are distinct — different IPI numbers, separate royalty distributions. The publishing entity is typically a company name or trading name distinct from your personal name.
Does opening a PRS publisher account affect my writer royalties?
No. Your writer royalties flow to your writer member account based on your registered writer share in each composition. The publisher account separately receives the publisher share. The two streams are independent.
What is the minimum catalog size to justify a PRS publisher account?
There is no formal minimum. The practical question is whether the publisher share of the compositions you administer, collected over a year, is large enough to justify the £400 membership fee and the ongoing administrative burden. For labels administering actively earning catalogs of even a handful of songs with meaningful streaming or broadcast activity, a publisher account is typically economical.
Can a sole trader have a PRS publisher account?
Yes. PRS publisher membership is open to sole traders operating under a business name, not just limited companies. You need to be operating a publishing business (with signed publishing or administration agreements) rather than simply collecting your own writer royalties, which is covered by writer membership.
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