“TheMusicLicence” from PPL PRS Ltd is required by any organisation who play music in a public place this includes pubs, clubs, bars, hotels (even if the music is also only played in staff areas which includes the radio in the kitchen).
PPL and PRS for Music. However PPL PRS Ltd is the new joint venture between the two companies, set up with the aim to provide the best music licensing experience possible.
The new joint licence, TheMusicLicence, has been launched – providing you with one licence, one invoice and one point of contact, making it simpler for you to get a licence to legally play and perform music in public.
Businesses and organisations will now be covered by TheMusicLicence for the use of the vast majority of commercially released music available – millions of songs and recordings, including the most popular and well-loved music, not just from the UK but from around the world.
PPL and PRS for Music will continue to distribute the fees collected by PPL PRS to their respective members – performers and record companies for PPL and the songwriters, composers and publishers for PRS for Music. This income is important to individuals and companies within UK music industry; it supports the future of new music and helps to enable people to make a living out of writing, playing and performing music.
PPL PRS have the full backing of the law in their business of setting tariffs, assessing individual premises and collecting any fees or royalties due. Not being properly licensed can lead to prosecution and substantial fines.
How is TheMusicLicence cost calculated?
If you play background music via radio and TV in a pub or bar that is 400 sqm, your combined yearly pub and bar music licence could cost around £366 (excluding VAT).
The cost of TheMusicLicence varies depending on the specific characteristics of each pub or bar, so please contact them for a quote. Before doing so, please ensure you’ve read their Music Licence Quote Checklist for each section that is applicable to you, and have the relevant information ready so you receive an accurate quote for your pub or bar music licence.
For more information follow this link: www.pplprs.co.uk
If you think it’s worth trying to avoid having either of these music licences, think first about what it might cost if you are caught playing music without the proper licence in place. A Cumbrian venue was prosecuted in February 2014, the PRS bill of £21,000 on unpaid fees was further inflated by the judge awarding £60,000 costs against the venue. Having to suddenly find £81,000 would break most businesses!
Top Tip – if you take on a pub that has offered live music or karaoke etc in the past and you do not intend to continue with this licensable activity contact PRS and PPL to ensure your records are updated and you are being correctly billed.