IPO’s Karaoke Shower: A Decade of Singing the Praises of Copyright

In 2013, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) embarked on one of its most creative and unconventional educational initiatives — The Karaoke Shower. Conceived as a travelling karaoke booth disguised as a shower, complete with curtain and camera setup, the concept aimed to combine entertainment with copyright education. It first appeared at the Music Show in Manchester in 2013, during the cultural wave of Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi era and Disney’s Frozen phenomenon. The goal was simple yet inventive: encourage participants to sing popular songs, record performances, share them on social media, and in doing so, foster respect for copyright and creativity.

Prior to the Karaoke Shower initiative, copyright education often struggled to connect with younger audiences. Traditional teaching methods were perceived as dry, overly technical, or moralising, creating barriers to behavioural change. Young people frequently consumed and shared copyrighted content without understanding the legal or ethical implications. The IPO recognised the need for an innovative, relatable, and engaging medium to promote awareness about respecting creative ownership, particularly in the digital music era.

The Karaoke Shower revolutionised copyright education by turning learning into a participatory, joyful experience. By integrating music, humour, and self-expression, the IPO humanised IP awareness and made it memorable. Debuting as a last-minute feature at the Manchester Music Show, it immediately drew large crowds and enthusiastic participation. The booth went on to tour across the UK, making stops at high-profile venues such as the Houses of Parliament (“Rock the House”), Glasgow Science Centre, The Beatles Experience (Liverpool), and Birmingham Library. It later became part of major national youth programmes like The Big Music Project and World Skills.
The initiative’s broad appeal reached beyond young audiences— even celebrities and public figures, including Queen’s Brian May, JLS’s Oritsé Williams, and Father Christmas, joined the fun. Through this widespread engagement, the IPO effectively delivered its key message: creativity holds value, and that value deserves protection and respect.

After over a decade of touring, the Karaoke Shower retires as one of the most imaginative public education projects in government history. While the world of media has evolved — with platforms like TikTok and streaming services reshaping how we experience and share creative works — the initiative’s underlying principle remains timeless. It demonstrated the IPO’s willingness to think differently, using creativity to teach about creativity. The Karaoke Shower will be remembered not only for its entertainment but as a pioneering step in making intellectual property education accessible, engaging, and culturally relevant.