PRS - Music license

[pvr]

Keep getting these letters about "we don't have a license for your company on file" etc etc, bit like the TV licensing hounding.

What is the deal with this lot? I do not feel like calling them. Can I just keep binning the letters and they will go away?

[Sanj]

Read this? If they look like the same people?

http://www.prsformusic.com/aboutus/esse ... cence.aspx

[pvr]

Those are the ones, yes.

Why after 19 years of having a Ltd company, do they start writing to me?

[pvr]

oh well, called them (after I switched the radio off ).

As my Ltd registered address is the same as my home address, no fees are due.

[storminmike]

Are these the ones who want to charge you if you have the radio on at work and not just you can hear it?

[pvr]

Those are the ones, yes. No idea why they suddenly pop up ...

[storminmike]

[quote=""pvr""]Those are the ones, yes. No idea why they suddenly pop up ...[/quote]

Pure speculation but

Perhaps they buy lists of LTDs or certain premises then import and match up on their won database...then chancing their arm no doubt hoping you'll fess up riddled with guilt

[Turks]

There is both PRS and PPL. They both pretty much do the same thing. I have heard alot of stories recently of them calling up Take-aways and restaurants and just asking 'survey' questions to the staff and then after the call hitting them with a bill. I think they are stepping up their game and targeting small business - seeing them as easy game.

You can get around it by playing PRS Free CD's but I haven't done this. I will wait to be contacted I think!


Turks.

[squeaky2]

PRS seem to be the nice people, watch out for PPL! I had a quick telephone survey earlier in the year about our listening habits at work........3 weeks later there is a bill for the nearly £300. Made up of this years charge + 50% surcharge for not having a licence and another for last years + 50%. Apparently they can charge up to six years in the past. Anyhow have had quite a few nasty phonecalls with them and eventually negotiated to just pay this years bill.

Am going to use my summer break to get hold of all the recorded calls and paperwork they hold on us under data protection because i think the way they do it is very sneaky. That and they use a 3rd party to gain the original information on you.

As a note if you listen to music through headphones you do not need a licence its only if someone else can hear. Not a question that was originally asked in the "survey". At no point did they ask how you listen they just make assumptions and then stronghold you out of money......even to the point of having a letter from theyre debt collection agency that doesnt seem to exist on the internet.

Anyhow if anyone rings you asking about your listening habits at work politely tell them its none of their business

Oh and PPL charge over twice as much for a licence as PRS

[Turks]

Thats exactly what I heard that they are very sneaky!

What would they do to a Taxi driver that plays his radio to his customers?


Turks.

[squeaky2]

[quote=""Turks""]Thats exactly what I heard that they are very sneaky!

What would they do to a Taxi driver that plays his radio to his customers?


Turks.[/quote]

Dont get me started on this one........apparently its ok if i park the van in the warehouse and listen to the radio! Had to get the licence though really as im sure owning an AV company with lots of PA equipment they could start to get really sh*tty about things.

Once i know we have it and everything is sorted out i will go and be a pain for them