Rumor Mill

PRS CUTS TIES WITH RUSSIA'S RAO

March 8, 2022

British PRO PRS for Music has suspended its rights representation with Russian society RAO. The organization also plans to make financial support available to members in Ukraine.

British PRO PRS for Music has suspended its rights representation with Russian society RAO. The organization also plans to make financial support available to members in Ukraine.

PRS for Music formally suspended its "rights-representation relationship with RAO, the Russian collecting society for musical works, pending confirmation of its separation from the Russian government and those individuals and companies on the sanctions lists.”

The performing-rights organization said it's working with European entity CISAC to “consider the ongoing membership of Russian societies in the global network.”

“It is not our desire to punish the Russian composer, songwriter and publisher communities who support peace, and we will work with the global community to identify opportunities to amplify the voices of protest,” PRS noted.

Moreover, it said it will be contacting members based in the Ukraine to offer financial support via its Members’ Fund.