Guide

ALCS for journalists: claim your secondary royalties

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) collects secondary royalties for writers – money from photocopying, scanning, digital copying and some broadcasting uses of published work – and pays it to its members. Lifetime membership costs £36, which ALCS only takes when it makes its first payment to you, and it currently charges a 10% commission on payments.

Many freelance and staff journalists are entitled to ALCS payments without knowing it. This guide explains who can join, what to register and how photographers and publishers fit into the picture.

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At a glance

Who: Writers of all kinds, including journalists
Membership fee: £36 lifetime, deducted from your first payment
Commission: Currently 10%
Photographers: Visual rights are handled by other organisations
Website: alcs.co.uk

What is ALCS and where does the money come from?

When schools, universities, businesses and public bodies photocopy or scan extracts from books, magazines and newspapers, they pay licence fees to collective licensing bodies. Part of that money is due to the writers of the copied works. ALCS distributes it to its members, together with income from other secondary uses at home and abroad. Because these uses are measured in bulk, individual journalists cannot collect this money themselves – they need to be registered with a collecting society.

Who can join?

ALCS welcomes all types of writer, as well as beneficiaries of writers’ estates. For journalists this typically includes staff and freelance writers for newspapers and magazines, authors of non-fiction and contributors to academic or professional publications. Check the eligibility details on the ALCS website and whether your contracts allow you to keep secondary rights.

How to join and register your work

Register on the ALCS website; the £36 lifetime fee is only taken when ALCS makes its first payment to you.

Add your work: books, articles, contributions – follow ALCS guidance on what to list for journalism.

Keep details up to date, including bank details and new publications.

Receive payments after deduction of the current 10% commission.

Photographers and visual creators

ALCS represents writers. Photographers and illustrators claim secondary royalties for visual works through other organisations; DACS, for example, runs a payback scheme for visual artists, including photographers whose work has appeared in UK books, magazines or on TV. Check eligibility directly with those organisations. For more on photography careers see how to become a press photographer.

Tips for freelance journalists

Read contracts carefully – some ask you to assign all rights
Keep a list of your bylines with dates and publications
Register early; payments relate to past uses

Declare ALCS income for tax purposes
Join a union for advice on rights and contracts
See freelance journalist in the UK for more

Keeping records that make registration easy

The hardest part of claiming secondary royalties is remembering what you published. A simple routine solves that.

Log every piece

Keep a spreadsheet with the title, outlet, issue or publication date, page or web address and your role (sole author, co-author, contributor). Add new pieces as soon as they are published rather than once a year.

Keep proof

Save PDFs or screenshots of published work, especially online pieces that may disappear or move. They help if a question about authorship ever comes up.

Note broadcasts

If you write scripts or contribute to radio or TV programmes, note the programme, channel and broadcast date. Broadcast uses can generate payments too.

Set a reminder

Put a recurring reminder in your calendar to update your ALCS registrations and check your contact and bank details. Out-of-date details can delay payments.

Other schemes worth knowing

ALCS is not the only source of secondary income for writers and visual creators.

Scheme	For whom	What it covers
ALCS	Writers, including journalists	Secondary uses of published text, such as copying and some broadcast uses
DACS	Visual artists and photographers	Secondary uses of visual work, including the Payback scheme – see the section on photographers above
Public Lending Right (PLR)	Authors and certain other contributors to books	Payments for loans of books from public libraries, run by the British Library

Check each scheme’s own website for eligibility, deadlines and current terms.

Your first year with ALCS: a simple plan

Four steps take you from joining to receiving your first payment.

Join online

Create your membership on the ALCS website with your personal and bank details. The lifetime fee is only taken from your first payment.

Register your works

Add the articles, books and broadcasts you have written, using your publication log. Start with recent work and add older pieces step by step.

Check eligibility notes

Read the ALCS guidance on which works and uses qualify, so that you do not spend time on items that cannot generate payments.

Keep it current

Update your registrations regularly and check the payment statements you receive, so that you can spot missing works.

Frequently asked questions

What is ALCS?

The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, which collects and pays secondary royalties to writers in the UK.

How much does ALCS membership cost?

A one-off lifetime fee of £36, which ALCS takes only when it makes its first payment to you.

How much commission does ALCS charge?

ALCS says its commission is currently 10% of the money it pays you.

Can journalists join ALCS?

Yes. ALCS welcomes all types of writer, including journalists.

Can photographers join ALCS?

ALCS is for writers. Photographers usually claim through visual rights organisations such as DACS.

Do I need a press card to join ALCS?

No. ALCS membership depends on your published writing, not on a press card.

Do I need to join ALCS if I am a staff journalist?

It can still be worth it. Whether you can claim depends on your work and contract, but many staff journalists are eligible for some payments. Check the eligibility information on the ALCS website.

Does ALCS membership affect my copyright?

ALCS collects secondary royalties on behalf of its members. Your contracts with publishers still determine who holds which rights in your work, so read them carefully before you sign.

I have written books as well as articles – what else can I claim?

Book authors may be eligible for Public Lending Right payments for library loans, which are administered by the British Library. This is separate from ALCS.

Is ALCS income taxable?

Payments from collecting societies are generally income and may need to be declared to HMRC. How they are treated depends on your situation, so check HMRC guidance or ask an accountant.

Can I register work published under a pen name?

Writers often publish under different names. Check with ALCS how to register work published under a pseudonym so that it is linked to your membership.

Sources and last review

ALCS – thinking of joining?
ALCS – how it works
DACS – collective licensing royalties (Payback)
British Library – Public Lending Right (PLR) – payments for library loans of books

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.