PPL defers fees rise

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has welcomed a decision by music licensing company PPL to defer action on plans for huge fee rises in its Specially Featured Entertainment (SFE) Tariff, which covers the playing of music at discos in pubs and nightclubs.

Following initial responses, PPL has written to licensees saying it envisages a "further substantial period of dialogue with all sections of the industry before any conclusions are reached... no revisions of the current SFE tariff (other than the customary annual inflation adjustment) will be implemented until 1 January 2013 at the earliest."

BBPA chief executive, Brigid Simmonds, said: "I welcome PPL's postponement of this process. This does leave room for more dialogue in the months ahead. The BBPA will certainly use this opportunity to make the case for pubs, but there is still no case for excessive fee increases or a more complex tariff system. The BBPA has arranged a meeting with PPL alongside other trade bodies and we look forward discussing these issues with them."

Earlier this month, the BBPA announced that it was teaming up with the Bar Entertainment and Dance Association (BEDA), the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) to combat PL's plans for increased fees.

ALMR welcomes plans to tighten up on copyright collection >>

Trade bodies unite over PPL plans on recorded music fee hike >>

PPL set to pay out £15m after royalties row >>

By Neil Gerrard

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