The Performing Rights Society

[Mr B]

Hi, me and my brother run a small business, we got a phone call today from the Performing Rights Society. They asked if we had a radio playing, and if we did, we would have to buy a license to listen to it. We also had a letter from them earlier in the week explaining all this, and was to expect visits from them.
My brother politely or not so politely told the woman to f**k off. We did a 1471 and the call was made from their registered office.
We had a look around the net, and it appears they are a proper setup just trying to extract money from anyone who listens to the radio at or watches TV in the workplace.
Quickfit are in court facing thousands of pounds in fines for having radios on in their centres without the proper paperwork.
Has anyone had a run in with them...are they as powerful as they make out, I'd like to know because with no smoking at work, and now no music, I might just not bother getting up in the mornings anymore.

Brian.

[ACE]

I had a run in with them years ago about some material I was using in my pub act. I was alright as the music I was playing was owned by the English Folk Song and Dance Society and I was a member.

They then decided to do the landlord because of his tape player was going through a PA for all to hear. He had to get a licence.

We read through all the bumph they sent and if I remember right you should be alright if the music is only for your ears and not for the public.

My god what a waste of time. Why doesnt this country start tackling some real issues.

[Mrs T]

When I worked for a major retailer, we weren't allowed to have the radio on in the kitchen, cos as the door opened people in the shop could hear it, and that could be construed as broadcasting!

As the two Ronnys would say 'Bill hooks'

[essjay]

First the PRS get you and then the PPL (check em out) bleed you, and no they are not the same thing, but legally you have to pay them both the Ba*%!?$s.
My mate had a punk record shop and was in a band back in the day and when they asked him for money he asked why? they told him that the money goes to the artists he replied that he (and the bands that he now managed) had never received a penny! they told him that they had obviously never applied.
A bit hard when you have never heard of them eh?
Anyhow I pay both of them unwillingly, just another pair of leeches on the well worn back of small business's

[Tones]

I'm all for entertainers getting their dues, but without radio to highlight them, not many would get heard, so therefore, wouldn't be famous enough to get drunk, buy drugs and have a better time than us

Kind of a circle which the PRS has just started to get hold of and will kill em dead.





The legal bit

Welcome to the MCPS-PRS Alliance

http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/S...ariff%20RS.pdf

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by jim3940

My god what a waste of time. Why doesnt this country start tackling some real issues.

Too much like hard work..........