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UK licensing agency warns businesses to pay royalties just in case

3 February 2009 1:28 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 10 comments

The UK's Performance Rights Society (PRS) is tasked with the responsibility of collecting royalties whenever music is performed for the public. It's a job they seem to do with the fervor or a recent religious convert. The good news is if you're a Lancashire police officer they're no longer coming after you for entertaining prisoners. The bad news is if you play the radio for animals you may be next on their list because it's possible a human might overhear.

It seems that the PRS has fallen on hard times with the poor economy and they're targetting more and more small businesses. Proprieters of a dog shelter were told they should pay for a license just in case a human employee might listen to the music being played for the animals.

Think you're safe because you're running a charity? Well the PRS is no charity. Margaret Hatton who helps run Dam House, which provides community services and facilities to residents of Astley, was told that they would need a license for local schoolgirls to come and sing carols once a year.

A statement from the PRS indicated that they believe their members deserve royalties based on their free will choice to work in a profession that doesn't offer a living wage. "Over 90% of our members earn less than �5,000 per annum from their work and depend on royalty payments to help them earn while they continue to create," it said.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Lawsuits & Legislation

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Discuss this article!
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 3 February 2009 12:17
Uummm......just in case? DIE MP3 police DIE!!! [ + quote]
joe777 (Member) 3 February 2009 14:52
So earning only 5 grand a year will entitle you to social security?( you know to make up your money ) The brits are paying for these people to sit around all day writing whatever. No no no no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!! They would have to look for a few jobs a week to get social or welfare or whatever it is. So if you only receive 5 grand a year, it's time to get a job as your creative flare is not going well. In other words get off your arse you gold-digging git and pay your own way. [ + quote]
evnflow (Senior Member) 4 February 2009 3:49
*Quote:* The bad news is if you play the radio for animals you may be next on their list because it's possible a human might overhear. ok either it's just really late or i'm just reading this wrong..but radio stations already pay royalties for music..so now everyone has to pay royalties ontop of royalties already being paid?!?..also, when was the last time a new christmas carol was written, not sure if the artist are still even alive for most of them..and like joe said, if your only makeing 5,000/year..don't you think it's time to start thinking about a career change..because, obviously it's not working out for you..especially if you aren't getting hired to play anywhere..that should be the first clue..and who exactly are these members and what songs have these members created?..and come on, you can't even let little kids sing carols anymore without asking for royalties? nice christmas spirit there buddy..u sure it's not P M S?!?!? because someone sure has their panties in a bunch(sorry don't mean to offend any of the women on here) [ + quote]
blueboy09 (Newbie) 4 February 2009 4:43
WTH?! PRS people really need to get a life. My aunt leaves the radio on for her dog and cat, and I haven't seen police/FBI knocking on her door to pay royalties because somebody might "accidentally" hear her rsdio. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 4 February 2009 4:49
*Quote:* *Quote:* The bad news is if you play the radio for animals you may be next on their list because it's possible a human might overhear. ok either it's just really late or i'm just reading this wrong..but radio stations already pay royalties for music..so now everyone has to pay royalties ontop of royalties already being paid?!?..also, when was the last time a new christmas carol was written, not sure if the artist are still even alive for most of them..and like joe said, if your only makeing 5,000/year..don't you think it's time to start thinking about a career change..because, obviously it's not working out for you..especially if you aren't getting hired to play anywhere..that should be the first clue..and who exactly are these members and what songs have these members created?..and come on, you can't even let little kids sing carols anymore without asking for royalties? nice christmas spirit there buddy..u sure it's not P M S?!?!? because someone sure has their panties in a bunch(sorry don't mean to offend any of the women on here) In the UK they tax you for listening to the radio...and thinking about music... [ + quote]
xtago (Newbie) 4 February 2009 10:50
I wonder if they stay up at night wondering if animals are listening to music or not and wondering at how they will pay for a lic to listen. Sounds like a scam group running around screwing people. [ + quote]
beanos66 (Junior Member) 4 February 2009 15:07
*Quote:* In the UK they tax you for listening to the radio...and thinking about music... And if yo're walking down the road minding your own buisness, when a car comes, windows down "boom boom boom" you have to stick your fingers in your ears and shout "LA LA LA LA" ( :) and if you do I want my royalties :) ) [ + quote]
Lovett (Inactive) 7 February 2009 7:13
foul language removed [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10 February 2009 13:14
evnflow (Senior Member) 17 February 2009 23:06
ok..i know i've already made a statement on this subject..but was thinking about this more..so are bars/pubs/clubs now going to have to pay royalties on the music they play inside? i mean it is among more than one person..and what about stores that sell music cds/dvds that allow you to scan the bar code and listen to a few tracks off of the cd or when people are testing out the instore radios..wouldn't that be considered letting an audience hear the music? Dolla Dolla Bill Ya'll [ + quote]
retailbil (Newbie) 23 September 2009 17:17
Hi Our boss at work told us we couldnt listen to music at work anymore because of the PRS/PPL fees, well we stood for it for a while and then I did a google search for "say no to prs fees" and found www.rfmradio.co.uk and its great! Unsigned quality bands and artists with pro Djs adding there bit, All fully royalty free music, no prs fees, the workers are happy, and the boss is happy, wish we had switched earlier. We now have a wifi radio so its just like listening on an ordinary radio set. cds available where no internet access available Thanks R Billy [ + quote]