New UK Code of Practice for music streaming

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has published a new UK Code of Practice on Transparency in Music Streaming

The Code is a significant point in the commitment of the UK music industry to improve transparency around licensing and royalties related to music streaming.

It sets out agreed standards of good practice, forming part of a shared ambition across the music industry to build greater trust in music-maker contracts, streaming licensing deals, royalty payments, usage data, audit rights, and communication with music creators.

This is part of the process to help improve creators' understanding of how their music is licensed, administered and used, helping build confidence and clarity that they are being paid correctly when their music is played via streaming services.

The Code will come into force on 31 July 2024.

Through facilitation by the IPO, the Code has been agreed by 12 music industry bodies representing music creators, record labels, publishers, digital service providers, distributors and collecting societies.

The IPO will have oversight of the code and its implementation, and will convene meetings of signatory organisations every six months to consider how the code is working, with a formal review of the code in 2026.

Read the full UK Voluntary Code of Good Practice on Transparency in Music Streaming.

First published: 5 February 2024