Award

Blanket Audio-visual Copyright Licence

NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Dec 2025 at 15:22

Award

25 Nov 2025 at 15:14

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited pertains to the Blanket Audio-visual Copyright Licence, a requirement under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, specifically after the amendment to Section 72 in 2016. This contract, direct awarded to Motion Picture Licensing Company Limited, ensures compliance for public performance of audiovisual works in non-domestic environments such as workplaces, stations, and staff areas. Based in London, Network Rail operates under the central government framework and has finalised the award stage for this initiative as of 2nd December 2025. The contract period is scheduled to begin on 15th December 2025 and will run until 30th September 2030, covering services in the UK region and involving a financial commitment exceeding the threshold amount, grossing £1,036,966.08.

This procurement offers growth opportunities for businesses that specialise in intellectual property management and consultancy services, particularly those focused on patent and copyright advisement. Given that the MPLC is the sole provider of such blanket licenses, businesses possessing exclusive rights expertise could benefit from collaborations or subcontracting arrangements within this framework. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the ability to manage or advise on audiovisual compliance for public organisations could see substantial business expansion, particularly in sectors dealing with content broadcasting requirements in public service environments.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Blanket Audio-visual Copyright Licence

Notice Description

The Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC) provides a Blanket Licence that legally authorises the public performance of copyrighted audiovisual works--films, TV programmes, streaming clips, and training videos--in non-domestic environments. This is required under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, particularly after the 2016 amendment to Section 72, which removed exemptions for films in public settings. Purpose and Legal Requirement The licence ensures compliance for organisations showing audiovisual content in workplaces, stations, depots, or staff areas. Activities such as streaming YouTube or TED Talks during safety briefings, or displaying news feeds on office TVs, count as public performance and require MPLC licensing. Other licences like TV Licence or PRS/PPL do not cover these uses.

Procurement Information

Exclusive Rights - Sole Supplier MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Company) is the only provider of the blanket licence for public performance of films and TV content in non-domestic settings under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 - No alternative suppliers offer equivalent coverage. Legal Obligation Since the 2016 amendment to Section 72 CDPA, exemptions for film broadcasts in public spaces were removed. Organisations like Network Rail must hold an MPLC licence to avoid copyright infringement. This is a statutory requirement, similar to a TV licence, making competitive tendering irrelevant because the licence is a legal necessity

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e891
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079016-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79120000 - Patent and copyright consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£864,138 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Nov 20252 weeks ago
Contract Period
15 Dec 2025 - 30 Sep 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NETWORK RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE LIMITED
Contact Name
Edward Mayhew
Contact Email
edward.mayhew@networkrail.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8SW
Post Town
South East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MOTION PICTURE LICENSING

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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