Copyright, rules and guidelines

Performance rights means getting permission to perform music, drama or any copyrighted work publically and in front of an audience, or on television, radio or any other broadcast.

It is necessary to get permission from the copyright owner, which is usually the Publisher or the composer/author.

Every creative piece of work belongs to someone, and we need to get permission from them to perform that work, just like we need to get permission from individuals before borrowing their belongings.

Every competitor needs to make sure that they get performance rights from the copyright owner, usually the Publisher or the composer / author before the Local Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod Cylch). Without the proper permission, the Urdd will not be able to let the performance continue.

If you are performing a new version of the original work (a translation, a new musical arrangement, a medley, or using the song as part of the Action Song script, for example) then you will need to contact the Publisher with details of this new version and get permission to perform this particular version.

There is a template letter to send to publishers available to download below. If you’re performing a translation, you will need to send the Welsh translation as well as a literal translation back to English to the Publisher, so that they can approve the translation.

Contact details for many publishers are in the Syllabus, and you can find contact details for publishers on their websites too.

Download the below documents as best practice examples of letters to send to Publishers in order to clear copyright on your chosen songs.

All competitors who adapt or translate, or perform an unpublished piece of work commercially will need to do this and to ensure that they have permission to perform the work at the Eisteddfod.

If you are performing a commercially published piece without modification, then there is no need to obtain further permission.

There is no guarantee that the Eisteddfod yr Urdd and S4C will be able to clear the copyright to each piece, but we will inform the competitors if any problems arise.

Congratulations! Please upload the confirmation when registering to compete.

Please make sure that all the information on your Eisteddfod yr Urdd registration is correct and accurate too!

No, the Urdd secures performance rights for all set pieces.

If the work is listed in the Syllabus then you will not need to get permission. If you are performing a piece chosen by yourself, then you will need to secure performance rights before the Local Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod Cylch).

We have copies of all these translations. Please contact hawlfraint@urdd.org to obtain a copy.

Copyright is impossible to clear for songs that appear on the IPC Excluded Works List. Where can I find this list?

Please follow the below link to find details about songs to avoid:

A 3 Line Translation must be prepared for EVERY translation, and sent to the original publisher for performance rights. See below for instructions on how to arrange and present the lyrics line by line, making sure to include:

• a line of the original lyric
  a line of the Welsh translation
  and a line of the literal translation back to the original language.

Please note: These pieces are suggestions only and are not set pieces. When selecting a monologue, you should consider the family audience.

• Anfamol gan Rhiannon Boyle
• Anweledig gan Aled Jones Williams
• Sgin ti Fonolog? gan Cefin Roberts
• Tiwlips gan Aled Jones Williams
• Sundance gan Aled Jones Williams
• Lysh gan Aled Jones Williams
• Sgint gan Bethan Marlow
• Byd Dan Eira gan Sion Eirian
• Siwan gan Saunders Lewis
• Blodeuwedd gan Saunders Lewis
• Bobi a Sami gan Wil Sam
• Tylwyth – Daf James
• Llwyth – Daf James
• Pridd – Aled Jones Williams
• Llyfr Glas Nebo – Manon Steffan Ross
• Merched Caerdydd
• Nos Sadwrn o hyd – Gary Owen
• Ffydd – Lleucu Roberts
• Mrs Reynolds a’r Cena bach- Gary Owen
• Nyrsus – Bethan Marlow
• Ma Bili’n bwrw’r bronco- Douglas Maxwell – cyf. Jeremi Cockram
• Wal – Aled Jones Williams
• Iphigenia yn Sblot – Gary Owen
• Ty ar y Tywod – Gwenlyn Parry
• Esther – Saunders Lewis
• Diwedd y Gân – Elin Williams
• Imrie – Nia Morais
• Croendena – Mared Llywelyn
• Dramâu’r cwmni Mewn Cymeriad
• Huw Fyw – Tudur Owen