Music Licenses
Music Licenses
PRS
There has been some fierce debate in the past 2 years about the playing of music in establishments open to the public and the requirement for a license to do so.
The main question related to the Performing Rights Society (PRS) and TV's in hotel bedrooms and whether that was a public performance' or not.
If if was the former a license would be required if not no license is required. The matter was finally resolved in 2009-2010 and now a payment IS REQUIRED for TV's in hotel/guesthouse/B&B bedrooms. Currently the charge is slightly in excess of £52.00 including VAT which covers the venue for up to 15 televisions.
If like me you play the radio to your guests during breakfast you also need a license for that but here is the good news: For the TV's and the radio the PRS have come up with a combined fee which for 2010 is capped at £113.80.
PPL
Reviewing some articles recently I came across the page devoted to licenses in particular the section on music licensing. Here I explained the difference between the PRS (Performing Rights Society) and PPL, (Phonographic Performance Limited) and what each organisation was responsible for in respect of the collection of fees.
PPL are the organisation which collects fees for pre-recorded music played at a public event: so if you play CD/tapes/MP3 player etc for your guests comfort you would need a PPL license.
If however you played the radio in your breakfast room because there was a fee charged to the 'broadcaster' (BBC, Virgin Radio etc) then no fee was deemed payable by the establishment irrespective of who listened to the radio in those premises.
This has all changed Phonographic Performance Limited are entitled to collect a fee whenever music is played for pubic listening. Currently they have elected NOT to collect a fee from B&B Owners unless they are licensed to sell alcohol when the fee for the most basic License is £40.00+ per annum
With a lot of B&B Owners operating below the radar with 6 or less bed spaces I really cannot see how the PPL will enforce the collection of a fee. For larger operators, whose information is in the public domain, (advertising etc) I suspect the PPL will eventually buy a list of B&B Owners and send a direct mail shot to try and elicit some fees.
Click here for the PRS 2010 Tariff