Darwen small businesses warned over playing music

5:00pm Sunday 6th November 2011 in Politics news Photograph of the Author By Catherine Pye, Health reporter

Darwen small businesses warned over playing music Darwen small businesses warned over playing music

DARWEN’S MP has urged small business owners to beware playing music, as investigators focus on the town.

Officials at PPL - a music licensing company working on behalf of performer and record companies - have been contacting business owners to check that they are legally allowed to recorded music or the radio.

Licences are a legal requirement for companies and can cost hundreds of pounds, depending on the extent of music played.

MP Jake Berry has spoken out in the House of Commons, questioning PPL’s practices and claiming it is unfair for small businesses to pay for a licence.

It comes as one antique repairer in the Whitehall area of Darwen was “hounded” for £250 despite working alone in a garage at home.

Mr Berry said: “I’m told that people at PPL make a phonecall to the business and see if they can hear a radio on in the background.

“This man in Whitehall is on his own, working from home and only has the radio on for a bit of company. Now he tells me the PPL have been hounding him with phonecalls every week demanding the money.

“I think it’s outrageous the way it’s been treated. I want other small business owners in Darwen to be aware of what can happen.

Related links

“I’ve raised the matter in parliament and I will be speaking to the appropriate minister about it as well.”

PPL spokesman Jonathan Morrish said: “We take customer service very seriously. We would only seek to license a business where we reasonably believe a licence is required and will always provide them with full written information and the opportunity to discuss the matter with us.

“We would also point out that PPL operates discretionary licensing policies for lone workers and home offices and if these apply to a business, then, despite the strict legal position, PPL will not require the owner to obtain a licence.”

Comments (17)

5:39pm Sun 6 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

Well done Jake Berry.

Licences for lone workers and home offices???????? WTF?

Do I need one whilst I'm at home looking for a job?

What a ridiculous state of affairs. The music industry deserves to get ripped off with piracy if this is how they behave. They're no better than rogue wheel-clampers. Scum.
Well done Jake Berry. Licences for lone workers and home offices???????? WTF? Do I need one whilst I'm at home looking for a job? What a ridiculous state of affairs. The music industry deserves to get ripped off with piracy if this is how they behave. They're no better than rogue wheel-clampers. Scum. happycyclist

5:45pm Sun 6 Nov 11

whirlingdervish says...

if the gimp in the article is working from home,,what other taxes is he avoiding,,keep your gob shut,,
if the gimp in the article is working from home,,what other taxes is he avoiding,,keep your gob shut,, whirlingdervish

6:21pm Sun 6 Nov 11

HelmshoreBoy says...

Next time they ring up, the bloke should blow a whistle down the phone and then tell em to p*** orf!
Works on the gas people when they keep ringing up trying to flog you appliance servicing contracts.
Next time they ring up, the bloke should blow a whistle down the phone and then tell em to p*** orf! Works on the gas people when they keep ringing up trying to flog you appliance servicing contracts. HelmshoreBoy

6:29pm Sun 6 Nov 11

Good call says...

whirlingdervish wrote:
if the gimp in the article is working from home,,what other taxes is he avoiding,,keep your gob shut,,
You seem to be one of those types who will bend over and take whatever the "authorities" give you,no matter how stupid it is.Ffs he is working on his own in his home garage why does he need a licence.
[quote][p][bold]whirlingdervish[/bold] wrote: if the gimp in the article is working from home,,what other taxes is he avoiding,,keep your gob shut,,[/p][/quote]You seem to be one of those types who will bend over and take whatever the "authorities" give you,no matter how stupid it is.Ffs he is working on his own in his home garage why does he need a licence. Good call

7:13pm Sun 6 Nov 11

allan1957 says...

So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas
So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas allan1957

7:13pm Sun 6 Nov 11

allan1957 says...

So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas
So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas allan1957

7:19pm Sun 6 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

allan1957 wrote:
So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas
They're criminals, too. Let's face it, we're ALL criminals!
[quote][p][bold]allan1957[/bold] wrote: So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas[/p][/quote]They're criminals, too. Let's face it, we're ALL criminals! happycyclist

7:22pm Sun 6 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

The more you think about it, the more insane it is. What about everyone who drives for a living, listening to their radio/CDs in their cars and lorries whilst working?
It would be laughable if the retards at PPL had a sense of humour.
The more you think about it, the more insane it is. What about everyone who drives for a living, listening to their radio/CDs in their cars and lorries whilst working? It would be laughable if the retards at PPL had a sense of humour. happycyclist

7:24pm Sun 6 Nov 11

louderfasterlonger says...

allan1957 wrote:
So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas
or taxi drivers with the radio on ?
[quote][p][bold]allan1957[/bold] wrote: So where does this leave builders etc who have music blaring out from portable music players whilst doing their work in public areas[/p][/quote]or taxi drivers with the radio on ? louderfasterlonger

8:34pm Sun 6 Nov 11

MrMungus says...

PPL are nothing short of gangsters.
The very concept that if the public can hear the music you need a licence is ridiculous.

Extortion.
PPL are nothing short of gangsters. The very concept that if the public can hear the music you need a licence is ridiculous. Extortion. MrMungus

8:44pm Sun 6 Nov 11

CapitaBackHander says...

I have a feeling a shop in Darwen nr Boots were sent one of these letters, heard someone saying a letter was a scam. Not sure they play music but dare say these letters are sent everywhere.
Businesses shouldn't need warning as it should be pretty obvious someone will want to gain from you if you have radio e.t.c. on.
I have a feeling a shop in Darwen nr Boots were sent one of these letters, heard someone saying a letter was a scam. Not sure they play music but dare say these letters are sent everywhere. Businesses shouldn't need warning as it should be pretty obvious someone will want to gain from you if you have radio e.t.c. on. CapitaBackHander

10:14pm Sun 6 Nov 11

DJ_Jaybee says...

As a music producer from the underground music scene I know the PPL & PRS aren't really giving us loads of money - and last.fm / spotify etc payout so little out per play ($0.0005) - most artists just put stuff out there so people can listen and maybe get interest in the tracks / album if they like it. I'd rather people can listen to music at work off CD, radio, internet radio etc than get shut down... I don't think that helps artists at all.
As a music producer from the underground music scene I know the PPL & PRS aren't really giving us loads of money - and last.fm / spotify etc payout so little out per play ($0.0005) - most artists just put stuff out there so people can listen and maybe get interest in the tracks / album if they like it. I'd rather people can listen to music at work off CD, radio, internet radio etc than get shut down... I don't think that helps artists at all. DJ_Jaybee

10:37pm Sun 6 Nov 11

Lifeinthemix says...

I can see the headlines...

charity shop owner jailed for 800 years for playing music in earshot of a customer breaching copyright for the struggling mammoth Warner Brothers
I can see the headlines... charity shop owner jailed for 800 years for playing music in earshot of a customer breaching copyright for the struggling mammoth Warner Brothers Lifeinthemix

9:54am Mon 7 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

Lifeinthemix wrote:
I can see the headlines...

charity shop owner jailed for 800 years for playing music in earshot of a customer breaching copyright for the struggling mammoth Warner Brothers
LOL! You have a brilliant sense of humour when you lighten up.
[quote][p][bold]Lifeinthemix[/bold] wrote: I can see the headlines... charity shop owner jailed for 800 years for playing music in earshot of a customer breaching copyright for the struggling mammoth Warner Brothers[/p][/quote]LOL! You have a brilliant sense of humour when you lighten up. happycyclist

9:55am Mon 7 Nov 11

happycyclist says...

Ring them back and see if they have the radio on!
Ring them back and see if they have the radio on! happycyclist

8:51am Wed 9 Nov 11

Happychappy65 says...

I received a phone call from these idiots at my business. I pointed out 2 facts

1: if I have bought a CD at a store, surely I have paid for the right to listen to it

2: if they want me to play music in my store, then I will send them a bill. After all, their artists are being advertised. My feeling is that if someone wants to advertise in my store, then they pay me for it.
I received a phone call from these idiots at my business. I pointed out 2 facts 1: if I have bought a CD at a store, surely I have paid for the right to listen to it 2: if they want me to play music in my store, then I will send them a bill. After all, their artists are being advertised. My feeling is that if someone wants to advertise in my store, then they pay me for it. Happychappy65

9:10pm Wed 9 Nov 11

Heretical says...

Does that mean if I take my earphones off and someone else can hear what I'm listening to then I'm liable too...?

By the way what does constitute a 'public' how many?

Having had a quick look at their new fee structure....they are no joke and can back charge you for 6 years...nice little earner for someone!
Does that mean if I take my earphones off and someone else can hear what I'm listening to then I'm liable too...? By the way what does constitute a 'public' how many? Having had a quick look at their new fee structure....they are no joke and can back charge you for 6 years...nice little earner for someone! Heretical

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree