British Retail Consortium also wins copyright victory against Phonographic Performance Ltd.

14 February 2010

British Retail Consortium also wins copyright victory against Phonographic Performance Ltd.

An appeal court defeat has taken place for the Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), the company that licences music in shops is a victory for retailers, said the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

It will save retailers £5 million a year and win them a £20 million refund of excessive charges they have paid over the last five years.

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) lost an appeal against a ruling made last October by the Copyright Tribunal that licence fee increases it had imposed were excessive.

Shops and other businesses that play recorded music (including from television and in-store or conventional radio stations) have to pay for a licence. PPL collects the copyright fees on behalf of record companies.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said: 'We have finally won a victory for fairness. It's a shame PPL was not willing to accept the original ruling. Being able to play music or have a radio on is important for customers and staff in many shops. Performers and record companies are entitled to be paid but increases on the scale demanded were unjustifiable and out of reach for many retailers.'

By Jane Coyle

Trainee Solicitor

Jane can be contacted at jane.coyle@lawdit.co.uk