Claim your share: Payback 2025 is now open!
Our annual Payback scheme is back, paying artists, illustrators and photographers royalties for the reuse of their published works in UK books, magazines or on TV.
Sign up now and claim your share of millions of pounds in royalties.
This year, for the first time, creators can also claim for work featured in TV programmes on Film Four and Sky Arts in addition to BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and specialist channels. A full list is available here.
The scheme is open to all kinds of visual creators. Last yea aloner, a record breaking 109,000 artists, photographers, and illustrators received a share of £5.3 million in royalties.
How to claim
To claim, register on the Payback website by 14 February and provide details of your work has been featured.
Final deadline to complete your claim: 11 April.
We will then pay royalties to visual creators in autumn 2025.
Paying visual creators since 1999
For over 25 years, DACS has distributed more than £80 million in Payback royalties. Payback provides additional income for many visual creators, helping to cover materials, studio rent and bills, especially critical at as living costs continue to rise.
I did it first time last year. In hindsight, I can’t believe it took me so long to get started. The process is much easier than anticipated, doesn’t take long, and it did make me some money, so I’m very pleased about finally getting set up.”
Video artist
My advice for anyone wavering about whether to apply for Payback is don’t put it off by thinking it will be hard work to capture everything, even just doing some of it is worth doing and will help you feel more in control. It’s payback time!
Artist
For over 25 years, Payback has been an important source of income for creators, helping artists, photographers, and illustrators sustain their work in an increasingly challenging landscape - from rising costs and bills to the rapid pace of technological change. As we launch Payback 2025, DACS remains committed to protecting creators’ rights and ensuring they are fairly compensated for the reuse of their work.
DACS Chief Executive
Protecting visual creators in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
DACS is committed to ensuring visual creators are paid fairly as AI technology develops. Last year, DACS surveyed its members on new workplace AI licences proposed by the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), from which DACS receives revenue distributed through Payback. These licences will allow published content to be used as prompts on paid-for enterprise versions of generative AI platforms for internal uses only. Rights relating to any training, including that of large language models are not included and are being consulted on separately.
Members showed clear support for the idea, giving DACS the mandate to back it. The licences will launch this year, with royalties distributed to claimants via Payback from 2026. This is an important step forward in protecting creators’ rights in the age of AI.
Further information
- Register for Payback
- Watch our guide to claiming
- Contact the Payback Team
