Government opposes PPL plans to increase fees

The Government has opposed plans by Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) to increase licence fees for recorded music played in public.

The changes, which follow modifications to European legislation, has been referred to the Copyright Tribunal by Trade and Industry secretary Alan Johnson.

PPL collects and distributes royalties in the UK on behalf of record companies and performers. It also grants licences for the playing of sound recordings such as CDs in public.

Under UK copyright law a PPL licence is required when recorded music is played in public, and it is usually the occupier of the premises who is licensed if the equipment and sound recordings used are not hired.

A spokeswoman for the PPL commented that the tariffs have now been split into bands with larger premises having to pay higher fees.

"Before premises ranging from one to 400sq m paid the same licence fee. This has now been changed, and premises will be grouped and charged according to size," she said.

By Kerstin Kühn

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