News
The UK music-copyright body moves to a new operating model in 2027. Licensing for AI services and game/film background-music clearances is being reviewed
On 24 September 2026 MCPS unveiled an operating model from early 2027. It will contract directly with ICE Services for multi-territory online licensing of streaming, downloads, and AI platforms; partner with IMRO on international collections; and run an optional MAIA Universe sync pilot for ads, film, and games. PRS remains a core partner.
What happened
The UK Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) unveiled a new operating model on 24 September 2026. From early 2027 it will contract directly with an expanded set of specialist partners. Music Week reported it the same day.
What changed
MCPS will contract directly with ICE Services (set up by GEMA, PRS for Music, and STIM) for multi-territory online licensing of streaming, downloads, and AI platforms. It will partner with IMRO on international licensing and collections. For members who mandate sync rights, MAIA Universe will offer automated licensing for advertising, film, and games: a pilot in early 2027, optional, with a direct MCPS sync desk remaining for repertoire kept off the platform. Production-music rate-card licensing moves to a new MCPS portal. PRS stays a core partner. No immediate change in 2026; the transition date comes later this year.
Whose work this changes
Licensing and royalties for writing and BGM that go through UK mechanicals. The production delta is that AI platforms now sit in ICE’s online mandate wording, and automated sync is an opt-in pilot. This announcement does not rewrite Japanese CMO contracts.
Do this today
If you are an MCPS member, check whether sync is mandated and whether a MAIA-pilot notice is in the member portal. If not, note on the next UK-mechanical job that from 2027 the window may split across ICE, IMRO, and MAIA.
Sources
Music Week (Andre Paine, 24 September). Press text: Record of the Day (25 September). International collections: IMRO (25 September). Clickable URLs are at the end.
Source: Music Week