News

October 2026

Update on AI licensing from PLS CEO, Tom West

An update for publishers regarding PLS' current generative AI collective licensing initiatives.

September 2026

New marketing materials for PLS’ in-library service revealed

Updated marketing materials are now available to aid libraries and supporting organisations in promoting PLS' Access to Research service.

September 2026

PLS Board Welcomes New Member

Julie Halfacre will join the PLS Board as a representative of the Association for Learned and Professional Society Publishers.

September 2026

Deborah Dixon steps down from PLS Board

Deborah Dixon will step down as a representative of the Association for Learned and Professional Society Publishers.

September 2026

ALCS CEO Barbara Hayes on AI licensing

An update for publishers regarding ALCS' author opt-in campaign.

September 2026

Applications open for the 2027 Stationers’ Company Warrants

The Stationers’ Company announced today that it is now open for applications for new Warrants and 2027 Warrant renewals.

July 2026

The Publishers’ Licensing Services Annual Review 2026

The Review features updates on PLS services, as well as a breaking down of the year in numbers from March 2025 to March 2026.

June 2026

Over 250 publishers opt-in to collective AI licensing ahead of industry conference addressing AI & copyright

Publishers join forces in licensing content for fair use by AI platforms.

June 2026

Libraries Change Lives Week 2026

Access to Research supports CILIP's annual advocacy campaign capturing and celebrating the impact of libraries: Libraries Change Lives Week.

March 2026

PLS offers new collective AI licensing opportunity to publishers

We are proud to announce the launch of the first stage of an industry-led collective licensing initiative, designed to ensure the use of published work by AI companies in generative AI is both fair and lawful.

January 2026

The Stationers' Company Warrants Scheme 2026

2026 sees continuing growth in applications for the Stationers’ Warrants scheme established in 2014.

January 2026

CLA appoints Simon Hutson as Chief Executive Officer

The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) has announced the appointment of Simon Hutson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Simon will take up the role on 9 February 2026.

December 2025

Reflecting on 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on the major milestones for PLS and the wider publishing industry over the last year.

December 2025

A year in the PLS Book Club

Launched earlier this year, the PLS Book Club has brought the PLS team together to promote good reading habits and explore a wide range of voices and perspectives.

October 2025

Planting the Seeds of Change: How Access to Research supports Green Libraries

This October, libraries across the UK will celebrate Green Libraries Week 2025, 27th October to 2nd November. The theme, “Seeds of Change – Make a Difference with Your Library”, is all about how libraries can empower communities to build a greener, more sustainable future.

October 2025

Innovations Excellence Awards 2025 Winners Announced

The winners of the Innovation Excellence Awards 2025 were announced at a packed ceremony and champagne lunch at the historic Stationers’ Hall in London on Friday 17 October.

October 2025

Official Bartz v Anthropic Settlement Website Goes Live

On 25 September 2025, the US District Court for the Northern District of California granted preliminary approval of a settlement in the class action lawsuit brought against Anthropic over its use of allegedly pirated books to train its AI model.

August 2025

Innovation Excellence Awards Guest of Honour Revealed

Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, former Director General & CEO of Ordnance Survey and founding co-chair of the United Nations Committee on Global Geospatial Information Management, is revealed as guest of honour.

July 2025

Her Majesty Queen Camilla Becomes an Honorary Freeman and Liveryman

On Tuesday, 15 July The Queen was cloathed in the livery of the Stationers’ and Newspaper Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company for the communications and content industries, in recognition of Her Majesty’s work for literacy.

July 2025

Stationers’ Company announce Innovations Excellence Awards shortlist

Expert judges at The Stationer’s Company have now whittled down their top picks of the brands going above and beyond in 6 categories ranging from Start Ups to Ed Tech.

June 2025

Q&A with Product Manager Helen Jennings

Access to Research spotlighted this Libraries Change Lives Week

Rosie Glazebrook Ends Six Year Term as PLS Board Chair

PLS’ first female Chair, Rosie Glazebrook, will step down after serving 2 terms in office.

April 2025

PLS and ALCS Agree to Development of Pioneering CLA Generative AI Licence

PLS and ALCS announce a significant development in the licensing of content for generative AI.

April 2025

Monisha Shah Announced as New PLS Chair

Publishers’ Licensing Services is delighted to announce that Monisha Shah will become the next PLS Chair.

March 2025

Introducing PLS Collect

On 3 March 2025, publishers logging in to PLS Account Manager will see a new name: PLS Collect.

February 2025

The Stationers’ Innovation Excellence Awards 2025

Your chance to be a part of the UK communications and content industry’s leading innovation awards.

January 2025

Stationers’ Company appointed as Custodian of the Paper Gold Medal

The Paper Industry Gold Medal Association has passed the custodianship of the Gold Medal to the Stationers’ Company.