Payment required to play music in the workplace.

[snotneck]

A person from the Performing Rights Society assessed my workplace (50 persons) and pronounced we must pay �365.26p (yes) p.a. to listen to the radio at work!
Has anybody else encountered this and if so what can be done about it, how is it arrived at, how is it enforced, when was it (quietly) ? brought in, and what is the effect on local radio and music retailers, denied their markets when employers cannot afford to pay?
Anyone remember the Blue Meanies?

[Ethel]

Yes, that is the law and has been so for many years.

1988 is the most recent law, but the licence was needed before then, I'm sure.

You have two choices. Pay up or remove the radio from the workplace

[Ethel]

You can read all about it here:

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/playingbroa dcastingonline/music_for_businesses/Pages/FAQ. aspx

[9-lives-DOC]

It does seem a bit silly. Like being sat in the park listening to the radio when others can hear it also.


OK not quite, it is not a place of work, splitting hairs springs to mind.

[PatriciaH]

We were told that at my last place of work ( i left a few months ago ) and apparantly they are phoning people (whove already been told about paying to have the radio on in their workplace ) and listening if they can hear a radio in the background , and then they get an on the spot fine


Sounds pathetic to me

[Skyline D]

I don't see particularly how it's "pathetic". The tactic is no different (if indeed they are doing that sort of thing) to people checking up on benefit fraudsters.

At the end of the day you need to pay the PRS to broadcast radio in a place of employment just like you need to have a tv licence to watch tv at home. No-one seems to think it's pathetic for the tv licence detector vans to come round after the licence dodgers. What's the difference? It's breaking the law and it's effectively theft. If the employers cannot afford to pay then turn the radio off and remove it from the premises or have the staff whip round to pay for it if they want to listen at work.

[THECORBYLOON]

That's 2p per person per day, hardly the end of the world is it?

[johnny37]

We were told we had to pay because our radiowas in a public place (the reception area). You may not need it if the radio is in a workshop or office where members of the public cannot hear it. Anyone know about that? At the end of the day the performer is entitled to royalties every time the record is played. What I dont quite understand is how this can be justified if the broadcaster has already paid a royalty?

Also beware of scammers. Are you sure it was the PRS? There are some crooks around who will get you a licence and take a hefty fee when you do not need a licence.

[HatlessJack]

As an addendum to this question, may I ask the knowledgeable peeps on here as to what steps would need to be taken to play a DVD film in a public place ?

If payment is made by the premises to the PRS for the radio, etc., a TV licence covers the property what else would be required ?

I'm thinking particularly of a hotel lounge where the film would be for the enjoyment of the paying guests only.

Thankyou (with apologies to snotneck).

[johnny37]

ps we were told the workshop was ok - the public cannot hear it

[Skyline D]

As I understand the regulations, and I am not an expert but there's been other threasds on here before, the workshop WOULD require a licence. It's a public broadcast if more than one person can hear it at a place of business. Those people do not have to be members of the public, they can be staff.

There was a thread earlier somewhere that established a cleaner working on her own using a personal earpiece to listen to music was ok but if she used a radio without earphones and anyone else was in the building then the premises needed a PRS licence.

[frostystart]

Have you heard about www.rfmradio.co.uk playing ONLY Quality Royalty Free Music from unsigned bands and artists that dont request any royalties from anyone, business or otherwise for playing their music.

For the PRS to Say "It is a legal requirement for any establishment, if music is being played or used in public, to have a licence"

Is slightly misleading as "Royalty Free" music does not require a licence.

We have a team of quality Djs now providing music and entertainment on the internet and wifi radios 24 hours a day and the music is filtered so only the best gets aired.

Our playlist is expanding daily and each day has a different selection of shows.

So tune in today and enjoy Royalty Free Music at its best no longer the poor "lift music" alternative but a way of saving money in these difficult times and giving the struggling bands and singer sing writers the airtime they deserve.

So if www.rfmradio.co.uk is the ONLY station you listen to in your business there are NO PRS or other fees to pay

Thanks

[Minerva21]

Seems to me this is simply a fair way to ensure musicians (and that includes songwriters, composers, publishers etc) get paid for the work they do. I've just googled and you may also be interested in this:

http://www.musicworksforyou.com

It tells you about the benefits of music in the workplace & the benefits of music to your business. Interesting stuff!