PRS for Music, the organisation that pays songwriters, composers and music publishers when their music is used, has announced a new scheme that will benefit carnivals across the South-West region.

PRS for Music, the organisation that pays songwriters, composers and music publishers when their music is used, has announced a new scheme that will benefit carnivals across the South-West region.

A discounted licence for anyone wanting to use music for a charity or community event was established in June 2009 and the not-for-profit organisation is urging carnival organisers to get in touch to see if they could qualify.

The law states that any public performance of music requires a licence so those that created the music can receive royalties on which they depend. PRS for Music has been licensing the use of music for 90 years and represents over 60,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members in the UK. Carnivals, parades and local events that use music are not exempt from a licence but could receive a sizeable discount if approved for the new 'Charity and Community licence'.

Keith Gilbert, PRS for Music commented "It is about striking the right balance to help events that do so much for the local community, but also rewarding those that have created the music that make those events a success. With our new tariff designed specifically for community and charity events, organisers can receive huge discounts and creators still be paid; I'm delighted that carnivals in the South-West are already taking advantage of it"

To date PRS for Music has been in contact with Weston Super-Mare, Wellington and XXXXXXX carnivals which have received discounts on their music licences and urges all organisers to get in touch to see how they can benefit.

PRS for Music currently licenses over 350,000 businesses, community groups and organisations in the UK.