1:00pm Monday 8th February 2010
A CLOTHES shop in Basildon town centre has been banned from playing music after failing to get the proper licence.
Customers at Looks, a fashion shop in East Walk, will be browsing in silence after a High Court judge banned the owner from playing any music.
High Court Judge Michael Briggs made the order after inspectors found the store playing copyrighted tracks on the premises without a music licence from Phonographic Performance Limited.
Inspectors visiting the store in September last year heard tracks being played, including the All Saints hit, Never Ever.
Thomas St Quintin, counsel for PPL, said solicitors had sent letters to the premises warning that the playing of music without a licence is a breach of copyright, and inviting management to get a licence.
The licence applies to all forms of recorded music such as records, tapes and CDs in PPL’s repertoire, which covers 97 per cent of all music.
The shop’s owner, who was not present or represented in court, could be fined up to £10,000 and jailed for six months if they break the order.
Clare Goldie, spokeswoman for PPL, said music licences can cost thousands of pounds, depending on the size of the venue and the audiences involved. She explained: “Whenever you play a sound recording in public there are two separate licence fees to be paid.
“PPL distributes its licence fees to record companies, recording artists and musicians. The Performing Rights Society collects a separate licence fee which they distribute to composers and music publishers. A licence is required for any event, except a family or domestic gathering, such as a wedding reception or birthday party.
“PPL sometimes waives fees for charity events.”
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