The creative industries are vital to the future success of Britain. The Government recognizes this and is keen to encourage creativity in schools, along with the business and enterprise skills needed to develop viable careers and businesses from ideas. 

We hope that by encouraging the creators and consumers of tomorrow to develop a respect for their own and others’ creative work, and a real appreciation of the value of music, we will ensure the UK music sector remains healthy in the future.

British Music Rights is at the heart of discussions on creative education and skills development, on bodies connected to the Music Manifesto, the enterprise agenda, Creative and Cultural Skills, and on IP education, and we sit on the CREATE group – the joint government and creative industries body that works strategically to promote copyright education in education and the world of work. We are also involved in a number of education and awareness initiatives:

'Sound Rights'

British Music Rights is currently developing a free online resource, Sound Rights, for educators and young people wanting to know more about song creation, copyright and the music business.

It will include lots of activities and information to help music teachers with the new requirement in the KS3 music curriculum (from Sept 2008), “to include the role of music and musicians in society, the music industry and of artistic and intellectual property rights”.  Parts of the resource could also be used by KS2 (primary) teachers, particularly as supplementary activity to Sing Up!

The material would also be interesting to GSCE and Creative and Media Diploma students, and for any young person or educator trying to find out more about music creativity, copyright, and enterprise. 

The content is designed to be engaging and easy-to-use bringing together class sessions, personalised learning, and a range of great audio and audio-visual resources.

The resource will be launched in Spring 2008, ready for teachers to begin using in the autumn term.

Young Enterprise

British Music Rights is collaborating with Young Enterprise, the UK's largest business and enterprise education charity, to develop the Young Enterprise Quickstart Music Programme.  Young people will set up and run mini music enterprises within their schools and through this will gain real business experience and enterprise skills, along with an understanding of IP and how copyright can help people to make a living from their ideas and creativity. More info

The Patent Office THINK Kit

The Patent Office has recently unveiled the much awaited electronic version of the THINK Kit®, a free educational resource aimed at key stage 4 students (although it can also be used for other age groups). The THINK Kit resource, which was originally developed in 2003, enables the complex subject of intellectual property rights to come alive in an exiting and interactive way, allowing students to enhance their knowledge about this vital aspect of business.

A number of well known names recorded podcasts for THINK Kit® and British Music Rights worked with David Arnold, best known for scoring four James Bond films, and Paul Lisberg of Phonogenic to develop their podcasts, in which they highlight the importance of IP to their business.

Download David Arnold podcast
Download Paul Lisberg podcast

To find out more about Think Kit and how to obtain your copy, visit: www.patent.gov.uk/education/education-school/education-thinkkit.htm

Copyright Licensing in Schools

Seven organisations have just updated their shared website to guide schools in their understanding and appreciation of copyright licensing of music and other protected works.  The organisations are: CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing Europe), CLA (The Copyright Licensing Agency), ERA (The Educational Recording Agency), PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited), MPA (Music Publishers' Association), MCPS (Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society) and PRS (Performing Right Society).  Visit www.licensing-copyright.org where you can find out more about copyright licensing in schools and download a free 4-page leaflet. 

Music Manifesto

The Music Manifesto was launched by DfES and DCMS in 2004 to improve opportunities in music for all young people. Organisations and individuals contribute by signing up to the Manifesto and pledging programmes and resources. British Music Rights was the first organisation to fulfil one of its pledges and as a member of its steering group, we continue to provide support during its transition to a new structure for delivery. www.musicmanifesto.co.uk

'Respect the Value of Music' Campaign

We also run an ongoing awareness campaign called ‘Respect the Value of Music’. Its primary objective is to raise awareness in the media and among consumers of the value of music.