Listening to a radio in the shop!

[AdamB]

So,
when we opened back in November we (or I) said that I need at least a radio to listen to whilst making this or that so the missis spoke to the relevant agencies and aquired a license to play a radio in a shop. She was told that we had a discount as we were purchasing it before we opened and not one of many that had been caught with no license or had been advised to purchase a license 'before' they were officially caught.

That was many. many months ago and I had a call today from some lady explaining about requiring a license to listen to music and did I listen to music in the shop.

I didn't really know who I was speaking to and asked for their website so I could view more info. She kept pushing questions my way and said that I needed to answer a few more then I could be sent an info pack. I repeated that we did have a license, the one we enquired about and purchased before we opened. She then said that we actually need 2 LICENSES and not just one to listen to music!

I said I would have to look into it and asked her to call bacl once I verified the information she gave me.

Well, after doing much reading it seems she was right and I (and the missis, and probably lots of other people we spoke to) wasn't aware that we actually need 2 licenses to listen to music (a simple and very small radio).

After the call, we purchased a PRS license and it now appears that we need a PRS license and a PPL license.

The principal difference between the two is that the PRS's area of responsibility is song rights, while PPL are concerned with the rights relating to recordings - and both are required to have a radio playing in a public place ...................!

UNBELIEVEABLE! We asked for advice, got it -followed it and now find that we were advised wrong!

[GoonerGary]

Or listen to music for free with some adverts.

http://www.spotify.com/uk/

[AdamB]

Or listen to music for free with some adverts.

http://www.spotify.com/uk/

STILL need a licence mate - if it can be heard by the public:

My staff play music through the internet by using Spotify. Do I need a special licence?

"If people play the music through their headphones then it's fine, but if they put it through speakers, then technically that's broadcast of music and does require a licence."

[AdamB]

This should explain things better regarding the need for 'both' licences ..................... would be cheaper to work from home!

A hairdresser has been hit with a £1,500 bill for having a radio on while giving customers a trim.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/hairdresser_h ... entspage=0

[jennywren]

How much do each license cost

[AdamB]

It really depends on the size of the shop/location and area that the 'music' can be heard.

There are different rates and we paid about £85 for a PRS licence and now need a PPL Licence that will just top the overall annual spend to allow me to have a radio on to over £200 a year!

[GoonerGary]

STILL need a licence mate - if it can be heard by the public:

You're right, my hairdresser bought one of those licences, then next time I was in he was playing royalty free music through spotify. I think even spotify prohibits public peformances (maybe that's just for educational use).

I got one of those letters and ignored it as I work from home. But I probably told one of the business directories that I had 3 employees, hence the letter? Anyway these people are underhanded and will ring you up asking general questions and might even hear the radio in the background!

The practice should be stopped, radio stations already pay for licences to broadcast music to the public. Why should I pay because other people overhear the music also?

[John G]

Place a set of headphones at the door with a sign saying please pop these on so i don't need an entertainment licence

[AdamB]

Place a set of headphones at the door with a sign saying please pop these on so i don't need an entertainment licence

I was thinking about that John

I won't start singing to my customers though after reading that an old dear was threatend with a fine for not having a live music licence because she sings to her customers!

http://www.dailytech.com/British+Copyri ... e16592.htm

[jennywren]

I had thought about getting one but paying twice is too much, they have phoned me but only mentioned the license for them and not the other how sly. hanks for the heads up, mind I read the article why did he not pay, I understand where he was coming from, but its like fighting the government, you're unlike to win even when right is on your side, trouble is now you have one license and have to make a choice, don't envy you.