Performing Right Society

[Spaghetti]

I'm the secretary of a small Bowls Club. PRS have charged us because we have a TV in the bar - probably fair enough - and for a radio that the cleaner brings in to listen to while she cleans, and then takes away. This is not fair, because no-one else is there when she cleans so there's no 'public performance'. I've tried three times to get PRS to acknowledge this, but they just refuse to reply. Has anyone had any experience of dealing successfully with this organisation? I'd welcome some tips!

[Ethel]

That's interesting.

Phone them up and ask them the situation for a cleaner to use her own personal radio whilst the club is empty and she is alone. If they are insistent that you should still pay, ask whether that would be the same if she were to listen to her music via personal mp3 player and earphones.

[funnygirl]

You have to pay up to pay my wages!!!!

No seriously, the cost of the license is worked out by the size of your tv.

Check this link.
payments

Hope it helps.

[funnygirl]

Also if you're providing music for staff, even if only 1, you have to pay.

Why on earth did you mention the radio, you should have kept quiet.

I think even if the cleaner wears headphones, you still gotta pay!

[loonytunes]

I was told by a PRS person that the radio would have to be heard by the public to be covered.

[loonytunes]

I have just checked their website and they are talking cr*p.

"When a song or a piece of music is written, the person who wrote it owns the copyright and therefore has the right to decide how and when it should be played. Music is released, allowing individuals to purchase a song which they can play at home. However, if an individual then wishes to play that song to a wider group of people, for example on their business or organisation�s premises for the benefit of their staff, visitors or customers, it is classed as a public performance meaning they must seek permission from the �copyright owner� of that song before they do so."

You are not providing it for anyone by way of the radio, so it is a non-starter. Write to them asking for refund and tell them that you will take the matter further if they do not comply. They have an inspector for every area so you may be able to deal with a person.

[funnygirl]

Spaghetti,

Tell the cleaner to wear headphones and if you want give me your a/c number and one of my colleagues will investigate further if you like.

You will have to write in and say the cleaner is now wearing headphones.

[Spaghetti]

Thanks for all your comments. Just to clarify - the club is not providing the cleaner with a radio - she brings her own and takes it home with her. I agree with funnygirl that the radio shouldn't have been mentioned, but PRS cold-called the Hon Treasurer and she did mention it - although she also explained the circumstances.

To loonytunes - I have written to them to ask for a refund - the first 2 times I also emailed copies. The third time I wrote to the Public Performance Sales Director. I haven't had a single reply from any of them.

[funnygirl]

Spaghetti, as I said, do you want me to look into it??

[Spaghetti]

That's very kind of you, funnygirl. The account number is 518238

[funnygirl]

Will get right back to you as soon as I have something!

[funnygirl]

Spaghetti,

You must write again to Mr Stephen Cooper at our Peterborough office
19 Church Walk
Peterborough
PE1 2UZ.

You must explain fully that the radio is brought in and only heard by the cleaner. If you don't ask for a refund you will not get one.

Apparently they spoke to someone on the phone and maybe they did not ask the right questions.

I hope this is helpful and I know you had a lot of problems with this matter.

Funny x

[Spaghetti]

Thanks funnygirl. I shall get onto it immediately!

[willowman]

We have just had a phone call from thePRS reminding us that if we play a radio for the benefit of the cats (some people say it calms them) and it is heard by customers or staff then we need a licence.
BUT I can drive my car into the centre of town, open the windows and turn on the radio so that every passer-by can hear it and I don't need a licence because a car is classed as part of my home!
So I suggested that I drive my car down to the cats and play them the car radio - no, can't do that because it's on business premises. But my cattery is in my garden so it's part of my home - sorry, no, it's business premises.
Surely PRS collect money from the radio stations when the record is played, and now they want to collect money when it is listened too as well - good business.