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Shop banned from playing music

1:00pm Monday 8th February 2010 in


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.”

Comments(21)

bumper says...
1:58pm Mon 8 Feb 10

pity they don.t stop the fun fairs doing it they seem to get away with it and nothing said or done.

but they are to scared to sort them out .
like always its the weak and small people getting done .

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essexboi1989 says...
4:46pm Mon 8 Feb 10

it's only music ffs!!

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leighbloke says...
5:38pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Is it not one of our new ridiculous laws/regulations?
I have heard from a friend of mine that a garage needs the same licence not for its employees, but just in case a member of the public overhears the music a mechanic may be listening to whilst servicing their car.

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Discouraged says...
5:49pm Mon 8 Feb 10

I know a few MPs who are crooks, a few streets with drug dealers, a site full of illegal travellers yet nothing is done and "the law" wants to show it's muscles by slapping a court order on a clothes shop for playing music. FREAKING PATHETIC

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Cllr Cliff Brunt says...
6:36pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Whilst the 'law' should be upheld, common sense should also be used. With so many laws out there now I do wonder whether there are a few that actually contradict each other. I'm not a betting man so won't take any odds on it.

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beau27 says...
6:46pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Be careful if you pass wind in public, because the tune you produce could also be copyrighted and PPL will be after their money! but its ok of course, if your at a domestic or family gathering!

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manic2009 says...
11:04pm Mon 8 Feb 10

This law covers any playing of music in public, shop, funfairs, carnival parades, bands and majorettes. From April this year charities and not for profit groups will have to paid and its not cheap to get a licence.

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Trainman says...
12:35am Tue 9 Feb 10

IF they want to be so Pedantic, then they SHOULD also include those who have music BLARING out from their cars, that the rest of us, DON'T wish to hear, but HAVE to put up with it.

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soul man says...
1:31am Tue 9 Feb 10

its only friggin music, you hear it wherever you go so whats the problem, oh yeah! they didn't BUY a license, money grabbing country, its fit for nothing now, fit for spongers and immigrants, if i had the money i'd leave these shores for good, its a DUMP, its all about how much they can squeeze out of you

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perini says...
1:36am Tue 9 Feb 10

Is this really newsworthy - didn't think so!

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radioman says...
9:20am Tue 9 Feb 10

A new definition is needed, what I hear oozing out of most shops is in no way "music". Therefore, they should be charged with noise pollution or aural assault.

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Beadagirl says...
9:34am Tue 9 Feb 10

Taxes, taxes and more taxes!

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reptile says...
12:23pm Tue 9 Feb 10

No music; does me!

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'V' says...
12:37pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Welcome to New Labour's Britain. Where there is weasely little 'inspector' ensuring you've paid tax for everything you do.

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Buffalo Bill says...
1:12pm Tue 9 Feb 10

This has nothing to do with New Labour, it's a Civil matter not a criminal one.

The law itself was passed in 1842 (Copyright act), hardly the fault of New Labour, (More like New Whig or New Tory).

Just google Preforming Rights Society for more info

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marshman says...
2:39pm Tue 9 Feb 10

Put the radio on :~/

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Trainman says...
3:51pm Tue 9 Feb 10

I forgetted to add, if I don't like the music any shop is playing, I can just as easily walk out again, and HAVE done before now.

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Buffalo Bill says...
4:20pm Tue 9 Feb 10

marshman wrote:
Put the radio on :~/
And go to prison? PPL licence you to play any form of recorded music.

http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Phonographi
c_Performance_Limite
d

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Miss D Meaner says...
5:28pm Tue 9 Feb 10

'V' wrote:
Welcome to New Labour's Britain. Where there is weasely little 'inspector' ensuring you've paid tax for everything you do.
I'm afraid, that if anything, this is one of the many faces of Capitalism. This is nothing to do with "New Labour's Britain".

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soul man says...
6:13pm Tue 9 Feb 10

marshman wrote:
Put the radio on :~/
ahh, music to my ears

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essexboi1989 says...
7:21am Wed 10 Feb 10

if they were playin lady gaga, rihanna or madonna i wouldn't mind haha

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