How collective licensing works
DACS distributes collective licensing revenue to eligible artists through our Payback and Overseas PLR schemes.
Where the money come from
Royalties are collected from businesses, educational institutions, and public bodies. These fees are paid via blanket licences, managed by organisations such as:
These organisations pass the money to DACS, which we distribute to artists and their estates through our Payback scheme.
DACS also receives revenue from partner societies in Germany and the Netherlands, which is distributed through the Overseas Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme. This applies to books that feature your work and are borrowed from libraries in those countries.
How much might I receive?
This can depend on several factors:
- Where your work was used (books, TV, etc.)
- How often it was reused
- The total funds available for distribution that year
- How many other creators are also eligible
In 2024, DACS paid over £5.3 million in collective licensing royalties to more than 100,000 creators and beneficiaries.