Pub played music without right licence (From Worcester News)

Pub played music without right licence

2:50pm Saturday 12th December 2009

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A PUB in Worcester city centre has been ordered to pay £1,600 in legal fees for playing music without the correct licence.

The High Court in London was told the Exchange, in The Cornmarket, has now obtained the right licence but Mr Justice Sales ordered Adrian Bell and Paul Timewell to pay the hefty bill rung up by music royalties collectors Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL).

They must pay £1,601 on or before Christmas Day. The judge was told by counsel for PPL Jonathan Hill that Bell and Timewell were caught playing music on the premises when they did not hold a licence from PPL.

He said one of PPL’s inspectors attended the premises on Wednesday, April 29, and heard tracks being played including Baby Love by the Supremes, I Want You Back by the Jackson 5, I’m Still Waiting by Diana Ross and All Night Long by Lionel Richie.

PPL’s licence scheme applies to all forms of mechanically recorded music such as records, tapes and CDs in PPL’s repertoire, which covers 97 per cent of all music. Music licences can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, depending on the size of the venue and the audiences involved.

A spokesperson for PPL said: “Whenever you play a sound recording in public, there are two separate licence fees to be paid.

“PPL distributes its licence fees to record companies, recording artists and musicians, and the Performing Rights Society collects a separate licence fee which they distribute to composers and music publishers.

“A licence is required for any event except a family or domestic gathering, such as a wedding reception or birthday party. PPL sometimes waives fees for charity events.”

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