PRS for Music has backtracked on its plan to charge a license fee for small-scale livestreamed gigs, offering a free license for members performing their own repertoire.

The British PRO came under fire last week for announcing a new tariff for livestreamed gigs that take in revenues of less than £500. PRS said organizers would need to pay a fee equal to at least 9% of ticket sales—more than double the tariff for in-person events, the Music Managers Forum and Featured Artists Coalition noted.

The free license will be available to any individual concert that qualifies for the small-scale license with revenues of less than £500, throughout the period the live sector is forced to close due to the COVID-19 crisis. The qualifying member must be the performer and are limited to performing only their own works.

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition and Annabella Coldrick, Music Managers Forum CEO, welcomed the news, adding: "Decisions around collection and distribution of revenue impact cross-sections of the music industry and cannot be taken on a unilateral basis. Therefore, we look forward to a full and inclusive consultation on these matters in the days and weeks ahead."

PRS says it's committed to agreeing a discounted rate for larger concerts as soon as possible.