The Celtic CD-Rs I have seen do not have an MCPS imprint. This indicates that accurate returns for the purpose of calculating mechanical royalties are not being made. As CM does not (at last time of checking) hold an MCPS licence for CD pressing (indeed they no longer have a pressing plant), it is rather difficult to say they are doing anything actually illegal. Borderline, yes.

As far as arranger/composer rights are concerned, these are calculated and due royalties distributed by the PRS. In one specific instance, a former Trailer artist was quite astonished to receive a royalty cheque (being 50% of that due) in respect of airplay for a CD-R reissue of his first album (the other 50% went to the "publisher", a Mr D Bulmer as in the original contract). It was the first he knew that Bill Leader's former plugger was burning his work and selling it. Is this illegal? Dubious. It's not nice though.