MPLC is the leading provider of licences for organisations that want to show TV content or movies in public while avoiding copyright issues. We:
- Help a wide range of organisations legally display audiovisual content in public.
- Have been in business for decades and operate in 27 countries.
- Represent more than 5,000 rightsholders, from major studios to small, independent producers.
- Have been registered at the UK’s Companies House for nearly 30 years.
Why Do I Need an MPLC Licence?
Showing audiovisual content in public – even if you’re not charging a fee – is considered a public performance. Which, legally, means you probably need a public performance licence.
When TV or movie content is created, the studios who produce the content own the copyright for public performances. This applies whether the content is shown via broadcast, cable or satellite TV, DVD, Blu Ray, download, or streaming.
MPLC is one of only three companies in the UK that provide licences to businesses looking to show content. Our Blanket Licence enables organisations to legally show tens of thousands of titles. As long as there’s no admission fee and any promotion falls within MPLC’s guidelines, the MPLC Blanket Licence is perfect. It provides a range of benefits including:
- A low annual fee.
- Unlimited performances.
- No reporting requirements for titles, dates or times of performances.
What Are the Benefits of the MPLC Blanket Licence?
It protects organisations from inadvertently showing audiovisual content without permission from the owner, while supporting more than 5,000 copyright holders with royalties.
This includes major media companies like Disney, NBC Universal, CBS and Paramount Pictures in addition to hundreds of smaller studios.*
Securing these fees means studios can invest more money in the creation of new content. That creates numerous jobs for everyone from directors, writers, producers, cast, and countless crew members.
Who should get MPLC’s Blanket Licence?
Any business or organisation with a TV or screen should have a conversation with MPLC to see whether they need an MPLC Blanket License. This list is not complete but the types of organisations that typically need a license include:
- Apartments and master planned communities.
- Associations and industry conferences.
- Automobile dealerships.
- Camps and conference centres.
- Corporations with staff rest areas, canteens, and reception areas.
- Bars and restaurants.
- Hotel lobbies and bars.
- Campgrounds and RV parks.
- Childcare centres, pre-schools, schools, colleges and universities for entertainment purposes.
- Churches and other religious organisations.
- Dentists, doctors, hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
- Gyms and health clubs.
- Government and public buildings including libraries.
- Parks and recreation facilities.
What organisations does MPLC work with?
Explore our Rightsholders page to see the studios and partners with which we work.
What Are MPLC’s Credentials?
For rightsholders, we act as a partner to help ensure revenue from certain public viewings and to help prevent piracy. We also partner with trade bodies and associations wherever possible. Paying for an MPLC licence is important, not only because it protects your organisation from legal repercussions, but because it helps support the creative community.
Here’s what a few MPLC clients have to say about our services:
“…it was quick and effective to organise a licence but also informative and I feel that [MPLC] explained the process and the requirements really well and with patience.”
– “Maria Apostolidi, MAPP
“Very efficient service and quick responses to a query.”
– Caron Brown, Vanderlande Industries UK Ltd
Any Questions?
Not sure whether your organization needs an MPLC licence? Get in touch with our licensing team today at 01323 356 100 for expert advice and guidance.
* Not all studios are available in all markets/verticals. Please contact MPLC for specific details of coverage.