If you broadcast music within the work place for the benefit of staff and/or customers then you must have a licence or two.

This applies to the radio in the workshops, music in the showroom, TV, video, DVD’s CD’s or tapes in reception or waiting areas.

Even music on your telephone for customers who are placed on hold are caught.

Failure to have a Performing Rights Society Music Licence will leave you liable for an action of copyright infringement.

So how much is a Performing Rights Society Licence and where do you get it from?

Licences vary in price and can be obtained from the Performing Rights Society on 0800 068 4828 or visit www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk

To Calculate Your Licence Fee

In the Workshop – up to 25 employees

(1) divide the number of days per year the music is to be played
(2) decide the length of time that music is to be played per day
(3) decide on the number of employees who will be listening to the music. 1-25 employees use factor - No of employes/25

The licence fee is:

Number of days per year x number of ½ hour units x employee factor x 0.0733

A minimum licence fee of £83.08 applies and all licences are subject to VAT.

In the showroom/reception area

The licence fee is based on floor area

Sq m
Up to 100: £116.68
100 – 200: £175.03
201 – 300: £233.42
301 – 500: £291.77
501 – 700: £350.10
751 – 1000: £408.47

All licences are subject to VAT.

In the canteen or rest room

(1) divide the number of days per year the music is to be played
(2) decide the length of time that music is to be played per day decide on the number of employees who will be listening to the music.
1-25 employees use factor - No of employes/25

The licence fee is:

Number of days per year x number of ½ hour units x employee factor x 0.1455

A minimum licence fee of £83.08 applies and all licences are subject to VAT.

In the waiting area:-

with TV and radio – up to 19 seats = £68.40

with DVD, CD, or video – up to 9 seats = £68.40

and then an additional £6.85 for every extra seat

All licences are subject to VAT

The Performing Rights Licence Fees are payable to the writers and publishers

BUT

there is also the Phonographic Performance Licence required if the music is played through the medium of radio, TV, CD, tape etc.

The fee is payable to the artists and record companies.

This fee for the workshop is £106.50 plus VAT for up to 25 employees with an alternative commissionary fee of £53.25 pa where there are 10 employees or less and only the basic radio or TV is used.

Where you have telephone music ‘on hold’ then the fee is

Up to 5 lines £115.02
6 to 15 lines £155.29

Background music in waiting rooms/reception attract a flat fee of £94.93.

Showrooms attract a licence fee based on floor area:-

Sq m
Up to 100: £106.50
100 – 200: £159.75
201 – 300: £213.00
301 – 500: £266.25
501 – 700: £319.50
751 – 1000: £372.75

The Phonographic Performance Licence may be obtained by ringing the PPL on 020 7534 1000

The licence is also subject to VAT

Visit www.lawgistics.co.uk or call 0870 26 77 118 for more information.