PRS for Music has issued a statement, announcing that it has formally suspended its rights representation relationship with Russian society RAO.

The statement, issued on March 8, also detailed its plans to support Ukrainian members. Furthermore, it outlined its intentions not to punish Russian music creators, as well as its willingness to engage with, and amplify, the voice of Russian protestors campaigning against the war in Ukraine.

"PRS for Music has today formally suspended, with immediate effect, our rights representation relationship with RAO, the Russian collecting society for musical works, pending confirmation of its separation from the Russian Government and those individuals and companies on the sanctions lists,” the statement said.

“We are also working with CISAC to consider the ongoing membership of Russian societies in the global network. It is not our desire to punish the Russian composer, songwriter and publisher communities who support peace, and we will work with the global community to identify opportunities to amplify the voices of protest.

“We will be contacting all our members based in the Ukraine to offer our support in their time of need and are working with PRS Members’ Fund to make financial support available to them.”

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