Fair Score survey launches to tackle unfair media commissioning practices
The anonymous survey runs until 6 November and will help us fight for fairer commissioning practices.
Campaigning
Media composers deserve better. Today’s commissioning environment is often unbalanced. Rights are being signed away and pitching can be opaque. That’s why The Ivors Academy and the Musicians’ Union (MU) are campaigning for a fairer future in media composition.
Share your views and help the campaign
We’ve launched a new survey to give media composers the opportunity to share their experiences of buyouts, coercive commissioning practices and the realities of today’s composing landscape.
The survey takes around 20 minutes to complete and closes on 6 November. All responses are confidential and securely shared between The Ivors Academy and the MU.
About the campaign
Fair Score builds on the success of Composers Against Buyouts, creating a stronger platform for composers and allies to unite and secure better standards across the industry.
In 2019, we surveyed media composers and found:
- 35% have accepted buyouts or work-for-hire deals
- 41% gave up more mechanical rights than they wanted to
- 64% believe the commissioning environment is coercive
What are buyouts?
There’s already a fair way to pay composers: a commissioning fee upfront and royalties over time.
Buyouts replace this with a one-off fee, and nothing more. They strip composers of rights that could generate income for years.
If you’re offered a buyout, you should have the freedom and information to negotiate a deal that works for you. That’s what we’re fighting for.
Tools to help you
Fair Score specimen agreement
We’ve worked with legal experts to create a specimen commissioning agreement for TV. It shows what a fair contract can look like, whether you’re dealing with an independent production company or a global broadcaster.
The agreement includes detailed notes to explain each clause, helping you understand and negotiate with confidence.
Fair Commissioning for Screen Manifesto
Together with the MU, we’ve set out a vision for change in our Fair Commissioning Manifesto. It calls for an end to coercive buyouts and a commissioning process that works for everyone—not just the most powerful players.
Our vision is built on three principles:
- Copyright starts with the composer: This is the law and the moral foundation of every deal.
- Music adds emotional and financial value: Composers deserve a fair share.
- Composers control their rights: The Exclusive Assignment of Performing Rights helps safeguard value long-term.
Your Music Your Future International
Your Music, Your Future International is a global campaign helping media composers understand their rights, options and the long-term impact of buyouts.
Created by composers in the US and supported by CISAC, it’s part of a growing international movement to inform and empower music creators everywhere.
