PRS Demands License Fee To Play Music To Horses 305
An anonymous reader writes "A woman in Bushton, Wilts, has been told by the Performing Rights Society (PRS for Music) that she needs to pay an annual fee in order to play classical music from the radio to the horses in her stable, something that she has been doing for the past 20 years.
The PRS claims that it's not about the horses — rather, it's about her staff of over two people, which puts Mrs. Greenway in the same category as shops, bars and cafes.
'The staff are not bothered whether they have the radio on or not, in fact they don't particularly like my music and turn if off when I'm not around,' said Mrs. Greenway, 62. 'Especially on windy days I try to play it — it gives [the horses] a nice quiet atmosphere, you can only exercise one horse at a time so it helps the others to stay calm. We are right next to the RAF Lyneham air base so it dulls the noise from the aircraft as well.'"
What about space ? (Score:1, Interesting)
And all the radio waves that propagate into space ?
There could be an infinite number of listeners there...
Re:lolwut (Score:5, Interesting)
In some countries it doesn't matter what the source of the music is. CDs or Radio played at the workplace/shop/gym is counted as public performing and these lovely people want royalties from that, nevermind how miniscule the audience.
It's kinda like the debacle in Finland a few years ago when the local music IP organization demanded that taxis start paying a radio play fee since radio during a fare "gives added value to the service". AFAIK ever since most taxi drivers in Finland just stopped playing the radio... Double dipping, or more like triple dipping. There really is not shame to these people.
In Holland it's even worse (Score:5, Interesting)
I have a business at my home with me being the only employer. But I received a letter from the SENA (equivalent of PRS) stating that I need to pay for music played in my own home, for my ears only. The letter showed 2 options: "1. I don't play music at all" and "2. I do play music, please send me a check". I missed the option "3. I have a private business in my home without any personnel so I can play any music I like for free, sod off". I complained about that and after a few months and several letters, I got the answer: "you're right sir, but most people pay anyway!" We're talking about 90 Euro each year minimum.
Please note that this SENA is backed by the government. It's a crooked world.
Don't tell the PRS (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:So stop... (Score:5, Interesting)
Double dipping (Score:3, Interesting)
The thing that really annoys me about this is that the PRS wants you to pay for listening to publically-broadcast radio. The radio station has *already* paid the PRS, so this is double dipping. The PRS, incidentally, also wants you to pay if you listen to *talk* radio.
We need an LRS (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:So stop... (Score:5, Interesting)
The only problem then is the hassle of convincing the PRS that such a thing as "Royalty Free Music" exists [fsb.org.uk].
From time to time when they telephone here I consider screwing with them... trying the royalty free line... but I always end up thinking better of it and just tell them (the truth!) that we don't play any music here.
Re:Multiple Radios? (Score:3, Interesting)
Different stations, with earplugs.
If only one person is listening to each radio, it's not a public performance any more.
And the stuff can listen to what they like, since they really don't like the classical. (Although, she would then have problems with some staff playing head-banger music loud enough to spook the horses through the plugs.)
Re:play public domain music (Score:3, Interesting)
I wonder what they'd make of musical wind sculptures in the garden of your workplace ?
Re:So stop... (Score:5, Interesting)
They seem to be targeting all farms lately. Playing music to the cows when milking, playing music in the tractor, etc.,
Don't open any of the letters.
Get your phone on the TPS (telephone preference service) http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/
There is also ctps (corporate telephone preference service)
If they phone report them! They can get fined up to £5,000 for each call. The more people who do this the better, as it will hit them in the pocket.
They have a legal right to collect monies for their clients. Not to harrass you, or come onto your land without your permission.
If they come onto your land they are Tresspassing!
Re:play public domain music (Score:2, Interesting)
Hey, where can I sign up to open another "Performance Rights Agency" and collect royalties for any copyrighted material over there? =) Sounds like a great business plan: just go around collecting royalties and pay yourself a nice hefty salary. Pay a couple of cents for artists that happen to ask for a cut of those royalties. :)
What's so special about that PRC, that entitles them to do that on behalf on all artists? Why can't a man from the street start his own agency?..
Re:lolwut (Score:4, Interesting)