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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: bob.dent on 18 June 2008, 11:14:09

Title: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: bob.dent on 18 June 2008, 11:14:09
Do any members on here know about music licences for offices? We've recently had 3 letters from PRS (The Performing Rights Society)
advising us that we could be breaking the law by playing music in the office without a licence. We do have a radio in the office but I'm not sure how we stand.

Firstly it's not a large office with only about 12 people in at any one time and the radio is played so quietly that probably can only be heard by 4 or 5 people. Secondly, I was under the impression that the radio stations themselves payed copyright on all the material they play so before I investigate further I wondered if anyone on here had any knowledge or experience of this. :-/
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 18 June 2008, 11:19:37
You do need a license for such radio use sadly......and PRS seem to be chasing such things down now.
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: bob.dent on 18 June 2008, 11:29:47
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You do need a license for such radio use sadly......and PRS seem to be chasing such things down now.

Hmmm......It seems to me that if that's the case then performers are getting a double whammy for being paid by the radio stations and then again by listeners which is almost the same as bringing back the radio licence that was done away with years ago.

The way I see it we could have loads of employees on the road in company cars listening to the same radio broadcast that don't have to pay, but then if they're all in one place at the same time we have to pay! It doesn't make sense. :-?
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: tomoco on 18 June 2008, 11:57:23
Are you sitting down in your office?
The cost of a licence for upto 20 people in an office is (for any copywrited sounds Radio, cd etc. is.............£241.60 and if you get caught without one they charge you half the price again. So thats £362.40 if they catch you. :'( :'(
If you get any strange visitors to your office (turn it off till they've gone)
I know in Retail they send mystery shoppers (sneaky bastards)
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Entwood on 18 June 2008, 12:02:40
All the legal crap from these thieves is here ..

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/playingbroadcastingonline/music_for_businesses/Pages/default.aspx

One solution .. that I believe to be legal - but may not be -, is that a single employee has a radio on their desk, that they provide, for their own personal use.

The fact that this employee likes music played loudly and no-one else in the building complains is irrelevant ....

 ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Markie on 18 June 2008, 12:16:08
Gordon Bennet  :o :o :o :o

We have about 9 different radios playing in this office right now....no one is aware of that in here  :o
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Ironingboard on 18 June 2008, 12:50:14
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Do any members on here know about music licences for offices? We've recently had 3 letters from PRS (The Performing Rights Society)
advising us that we could be breaking the law by playing music in the office without a licence. We do have a radio in the office but I'm not sure how we stand.

Firstly it's not a large office with only about 12 people in at any one time and the radio is played so quietly that probably can only be heard by 4 or 5 people. Secondly, I was under the impression that the radio stations themselves payed copyright on all the material they play so before I investigate further I wondered if anyone on here had any knowledge or experience of this. :-/

 ;D

Actually I was just thinking about this bullsh**, there was a guy who had a garage with a radio playing in the background. Then one day some twa* showed up in a suit and said they owed him money, he was from the PRS. Said the garage needed a license to broadcast music to multiple people.

The PRS guy quoted something along the lines of "we ensure that small performing artists are paid royalties for their music who are not privy to the payments made to other artists that have contacts with large multinationals".  

So in short some crappy porto-cabin somewhere in the outer Hebrides fulled with a bunch of dossers get money from hard working individuals and businesses so they can distribute it to the small artists. I know some musicians and they've never got money from the PRS.

I guess its like Robin Hood, robbing the poor to pay the...... PRS to pay the small poor artists that no body knows........ hummmm  :-/
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 June 2008, 13:43:07
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Quote
Do any members on here know about music licences for offices? We've recently had 3 letters from PRS (The Performing Rights Society)
advising us that we could be breaking the law by playing music in the office without a licence. We do have a radio in the office but I'm not sure how we stand.

Firstly it's not a large office with only about 12 people in at any one time and the radio is played so quietly that probably can only be heard by 4 or 5 people. Secondly, I was under the impression that the radio stations themselves payed copyright on all the material they play so before I investigate further I wondered if anyone on here had any knowledge or experience of this. :-/

 ;D

Actually I was just thinking about this bullsh**, there was a guy who had a garage with a radio playing in the background. Then one day some twa* showed up in a suit and said they owed him money, he was from the PRS. Said the garage needed a license to broadcast music to multiple people.

The PRS guy quoted something along the lines of "we ensure that small performing artists are paid royalties for their music who are not privy to the payments made to other artists that have contacts with large multinationals".  

So in short some crappy porto-cabin somewhere in the outer Hebrides fulled with a bunch of dossers get money from hard working individuals and businesses so they can distribute it to the small artists. I know some musicians and they've never got money from the PRS.

I guess its like Robin Hood, robbing the poor to pay the...... PRS to pay the small poor artists that no body knows........ hummmm  :-/


Sounds like an extortion racket.

Best to have quiet or play music from friends bands only
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: kris9128 on 18 June 2008, 17:25:02
yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 17:57:15
Quote
Are you sitting down in your office?
The cost of a licence for upto 20 people in an office is (for any copywrited sounds Radio, cd etc. is.............£241.60 and if you get caught without one they charge you half the price again. So thats £362.40 if they catch you. :'( :'(
If you get any strange visitors to your office (turn it off till they've gone)
I know in Retail they send mystery shoppers (sneaky naughty boys)

Dead right they do! :(

Once it used to be common for our company branch managers to have the radio on for themselves and staff, which of course customers could hear.  PR got involved and politely informed us (in the 1980s) that we had to have one of their licences for every branch to cover this "performance", at then £90 per unit; we had 1100 branches then! :'( :'(    
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 17:59:52
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Ironingboard on 18 June 2008, 18:29:31
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

Your right Lizzie, I was just informed from my folks who had a restaurant years ago that they had to buy a license, they think it was around £200 a year, even playing tapes (+15 years old) and cds (5+years old).

Doesn't matter what you do they will always find some way of ripping folk off.
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: stuart30 on 18 June 2008, 18:31:04
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

So does that mean Private Hire and Taxi"s need a license.??
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 18:34:26
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

So does that mean Private Hire and Taxi"s need a license.??

Not absolutely certain about taxi's, but as you are entertaining, even unintentionally, members of the public paying a fare I believe so.  This applies to coaches and trains I know. :y

STOP PRESS:  Out of interest just checked on the PRS web site and they state :


"whether the performance is played live or by such means as CD, radio, DVD, TV, karaoke etc, whether a charge is made for admission, or whether the performers are paid, a PRS Music Licence is still necessary".
 
 
 
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 June 2008, 18:56:25
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"whether the performance is played live or by such means as CD, radio, DVD, TV, karaoke etc, whether a charge is made for admission, or whether the performers are paid, a PRS Music Licence is still necessary".
  

Then why should it be paid?

The local band gets paid PRS doesn't pay them
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 19:01:37
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"whether the performance is played live or by such means as CD, radio, DVD, TV, karaoke etc, whether a charge is made for admission, or whether the performers are paid, a PRS Music Licence is still necessary".
  

Then why should it be paid?The local band gets paid PRS doesn't pay them

Because they are greedy buggers Martin! >:( >:(  They want a cut of the action taking place wherever "customers" are being entertained, so the retailer, pub landlord, music hall owner, promoter, etc has to pay what they make legal claim to. :(
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 June 2008, 19:15:57
Been to a few gigs where nothing of this sort was done.
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Tony H on 18 June 2008, 19:16:40
Heard on the news the other day that five police stations up and down the country were being reported for playing music without a licence. Whether this is true I don't know  :-/ It could just be spin to raise the profile of the latest push by the prs to coincide with the mailshot that a lot of business's seem to have received recently
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 19:20:55
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Been to a few gigs where nothing of this sort was done.

Then there could eventually be a legal problem! ;)
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: kris9128 on 18 June 2008, 19:27:09
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

i stand corrected.  :-[ :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 19:32:23
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

i stand corrected.  :-[ :-[ :-[

You are not alone Kris in not knowing about all this, which I know applies to a lot of retailers / businesses ;D ;)!  In the world we live in today there is always some bugger who wants a cut of your pleasure!  Where's it going to end? :o :o :o
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 June 2008, 19:35:41
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Been to a few gigs where nothing of this sort was done.

Then there could eventually be a legal problem! ;)


Too long ago

Anyway I expect PRS shills are flammable
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 18 June 2008, 19:36:54
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

So does that mean Private Hire and Taxi"s need a license.??

Not absolutely certain about taxi's, but as you are entertaining, even unintentionally, members of the public paying a fare I believe so.  This applies to coaches and trains I know. :y

STOP PRESS:  Out of interest just checked on the PRS web site and they state :


"whether the performance is played live or by such means as CD, radio, DVD, TV, karaoke etc, whether a charge is made for admission, or whether the performers are paid, a PRS Music Licence is still necessary".
 
 
 

Im gonna put a notice up in my cab then......

"The radio is on for my listening purposes only, you are not to listen as well"   :D  ;D

Im certainly not buying one!!
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 19:40:24
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yes you do need a liscence to play the radio. F*CK*NG B*LL*CKS aint it. 1 way around this is to play tapes or cd's. you DON'T need a liscence for this as you've all ready paid for the material.  

Sorry Chris, but yes you do! :o :o

If you are "Broadcasting" or "Performing" the material, which you are if playing it in a commercial situation to more than 2 people, then a Performing Rights Licence has to be purchased.  :'(

Just look at the copyright conditions on any tape, CD, DVD, etc.  

So does that mean Private Hire and Taxi"s need a license.??

Not absolutely certain about taxi's, but as you are entertaining, even unintentionally, members of the public paying a fare I believe so.  This applies to coaches and trains I know. :y

STOP PRESS:  Out of interest just checked on the PRS web site and they state :


"whether the performance is played live or by such means as CD, radio, DVD, TV, karaoke etc, whether a charge is made for admission, or whether the performers are paid, a PRS Music Licence is still necessary".
 
 
 

Im gonna put a notice up in my cab then......

"The radio is on for my listening purposes only, you are not to listen as well"   :D  ;D

Im certainly not buying one!!

Don't blame you really TD!  Just plead ignorance if the PRS "Police" catch up with you! ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Markjay on 18 June 2008, 21:04:18
I believe this also applies to music played on the phone system while waiting on the line, most offices just stick a CD in or hook it up to the radio, but a license is still needed...

I our office people listen to music over the Internet (Internet radio, YouTube, MTV, etc) individually, and the phone system  just beeps when you are on hold, so no need for license...



 



Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 18 June 2008, 21:10:39
I heard on the news today that 2 mechanics were being done for £700 eack, cost and back licence fee's.  There was some mention that as a work place.....something or other, but as the public could hear in in thier work place then this created an issue.

So if thats the case how to coach drivers and taxi drivers go on as they carry the public arround as passengers.?
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: FRE07962128 on 18 June 2008, 21:52:20
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I heard on the news today that 2 mechanics were being done for £700 eack, cost and back licence fee's.  There was some mention that as a work place.....something or other, but as the public could hear in in thier work place then this created an issue.

So if thats the case how to coach drivers and taxi drivers go on as they carry the public arround as passengers.?

As I tried to explain earlier it would seem that they come under carrying fare paying members of the public, which under the legal aspects of the PRS means a licence must be obtained if they "perform" / "Broardcast" music to them. ;)
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: dippydave on 19 June 2008, 03:38:31
my friend who runs a mobile disco has just had one of these letters. something about..."did you know you may be contravening laws if you don't have a prs licence....."

seeing as every venue he plays in already has a prs licence this seems a sneaky way of asking for a double fee!

i got to chat with a prs rep in a club last year and he just had to write down every track that was played. this sampling then goes back to hq and they determine which artist gets what percentage of the fees based on this approximation.

Funny thing was, it was easy in the 80s bar he said, but a pain in the club as he had to keep asking the dj what track that was! and was stumped when told "one of mine on a white label... do i get the prs money then mate?!"

i'm really curious as to where this prs stuff has come from recently as they've been around a long time!

i remember back in the early nineties problems with broadcasting to a lot of people could be counter to the criminal justice act but that seems to have gone away. maybe prs is a weaker attempt to tax the aural senses!
Title: Re: Music licence for radio in the office?
Post by: dad1uk on 19 June 2008, 20:48:10
This PRS has been an issue to coach drivers for years. It occasionally comes to a head and then dies off again.
Yes every coach which plays videos, tapes, cd's or just has the radio on has to have a PRS licence.
I must admit most don't have it.

Occasionally the PRS people have a fling and 'do' a few people then calm down again. During this time, people panic and buy the licence. Once you have one, they've got you.
Unfortunately there is no way out legally.

I don't know if taxi's come under the same rules, perhaps it depends on the ammount of people who might listen.