Music Law

The Federation of Small Businesses has called for the law on forcing workplaces to pay for playing music to be changed.

Currently firms have to pay the Performing Right Society (PRS) for the right play music to customers, both via a radio and any other device. A Public Performance License costs from £66 depending on the size of the company's premises, how many people the music is played to, how it is used and the type of music being played.

Any firm without a license could face action from the PRS, who distribute royalties to recording artists, under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

The FSB argue that small businesses which play music to boost productivity should be exempt - unlike restaurants, cafes, bars and call centres.

However the PRS says that any firm which derives "business benefit" from music should be made to pay.

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