PPL PRS letter decoder: what your letter or invoice actually means
It looks scary and official. It isn’t a fine. Here’s how to read a PPL PRS letter or invoice line by line, and what to question.
On this page
A letter from PPL PRS usually means they believe your business plays music in public and either needs a licence or should be paying more. It is not a court summons and it is not a fine: it’s the start of a process, and you have time to check whether what they’re asking is actually correct before you pay. Here’s how to read it.
Who it’s from#
PPL PRS Ltd is the joint venture that collects for both PPL (the recording) and PRS for Music (the song) through a single licence, TheMusicLicence. So one letter covers both organisations’ fees, summed together.
The key things to find on it#
- Tariff code(s): e.g. PPLPP211 (shops) or PRS ‘RS’. These tell you which rate schedule you’re being charged under.
- The basis of the calculation: audible floor area, number of seats, staff, rooms, or events.
- Any ‘higher royalty rate’ or first-year uplift (standard + 50%), only valid for your first licensed year.
- The period covered: watch for backdated periods, which can reach back up to six years.
- The amount, and whether it’s an annual figure or a backdated total.
The tone, and what it means for you#
Many business owners tell us the letters and follow-up calls feel pressuring. That’s a common experience, and it doesn’t change your position. You’re entitled to have the figures checked and to request corrections before you agree to anything.
What to do next#
Don’t ignore it, and don’t simply pay it on trust. Check the tariff and the basis against the published rates, and confirm any higher rate or backdated period is genuinely correct. If you’d like a hand, send us the letter and any invoices: we’ll check it against the official tariffs and tell you honestly if it’s already right. One site? The free Invoice Check gives you a written verdict in five working days. Four or more sites? The estate review is free and we only charge if we recover money. See pricing.
Still not sure what yours means? Tell us what happened and a real person will reply within 72 hours, free. There are also free reply letters you can send today.
- The 50% higher royalty rate explained →
- Backdated up to six years: what to know →
- How to check your music licence invoice →
Common questions
- Is a PPL PRS letter a fine?
- No. It usually means PPL PRS believes your business plays music in public and either needs a licence or should be paying more. It is not a court summons and it is not a fine, it's the start of a process, and you have time to check whether what they're asking is actually correct before you pay.
- Who sends a PPL PRS letter?
- PPL PRS Ltd, the joint venture that collects for both PPL, for the recording, and PRS for Music, for the song, through a single licence, TheMusicLicence, so one letter covers both organisations' fees summed together.
- What should I look for on a PPL PRS letter or invoice?
- The tariff code, such as PPLPP211 for shops or PRS RS, the basis of the calculation such as audible floor area, seats, staff, rooms or events, any higher royalty rate or first-year uplift which is only valid for your first licensed year, the period covered including any backdated element, and the total amount.
- What should I do after receiving a PPL PRS letter?
- Don't ignore it, and don't simply pay it on trust. Check the tariff and the basis against the published rates, and confirm any higher rate or backdated period is genuinely correct before you agree to anything.
Want it checked or set up properly?
- Already paying? Send your latest invoice for a free check and a plain-English answer within five working days.
- Four or more sites? A free estate check, site by site, with a clear summary of anything that's off.
- No licence yet? We tell you exactly what to declare and make the application for you.
Get told when the rates change
PPL and PRS re-index their tariffs every year. Leave your email and we'll let you know when the main rates change (January and July), with a reminder to check your invoice. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe any time.
Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and MLC is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PRS for Music or PPL.