Concerning lists (uh-oh, treading on thin ice here), here's my experience in funky little Belgiumland.

I think like Australia, every venue and event here has to pay the PRO for use of music. Many grumble, etc etc. Most touring bands I know have a set list printed up and drop it off at their PRO about once a year saying something to the effect that this is what we've been playing this year (or tour or quarter) and here's a list of venues we played in. It is then put into the pot and some sort of slice comes back to the writers. Many others don't bother, figuring it's more admin than it's worth.

I suppose a number of those bands might forget their covers of "Sweet Home Alabama" or "Jingle Bells" in their official playlists. But then I'd be surprised if each and every playlist is studiously compiled and then used in the great pie-slicing exercise at the end of the year.

But whether the bands play covers or originals does not affect the venue in any way.

In my direct experience as an occasional DJ, I have specifically listed material in the playlist that I know never subsequently received extra payment. So the whole thing is averaged out very heavily, most likely using radio as the yardstick.

It's imperfect, and if managers and publishers think they are not getting enough from their peformance royalties, they can always ring the PRO and put their case across (I'm in the process of doing this right now, actually).

Michael

Michael Leahy
The Accidental Lyricist
http://www.a-lyric.com/