New PRS code of practice is launched

A new code of practice for the Performing Rights Society for Music (PRS) has been introduced to clarify the rights and responsibilities of PRS and businesses that provide music in their public areas. PRS, the copyright and royalty collection society, also announced the appointment of an ombudsman to provide an independent complaints review service for their public performance licensing activities.

If you play any copyright music in public areas where your staff or guests can hear it, you are required to pay a license fee to the PRS. This applies whether the music is live or through a radio, television, CD or DVD player. The PRS website www.prsformusic.com offers detailed information for hotels and guesthouses on the license, tariff levels and how to apply.

The new code of practice has been drawn up following numerous complaints about the PRS’s sometimes heavy-handed approach to collecting fees, especially towards small accommodation providers. PRS says the code is intended to make the whole process of getting permission to use music as quick, easy and affordable as possible.

As well as explaining how the PRS issues licenses and collects fees, the code also sets out that businesses dealing with PRS can expect that:

• staff are courteous and professional
• your music licensing requirements are clearly explained to you processes are clear and transparent
• queries are responded to straight away if possible and, in any event, within 14 days
• you will be treated fairly in relation to other customers and users in similar circumstances
• agreed errors are corrected as quickly as possible and complaints are dealt with according to published procedures.

PRS acting chief executive, Jeremy Fabinyi said, ‘We’ve made a number of improvements over the last year and I’m delighted so many businesses are choosing to use music and creators are benefiting. We have listened to our customers and their representatives and we hope that the introduction of the code and an ombudsman will assure them that we are making a genuine commitment to good conduct.’

Download a PDF copy of the full code of practice from the PRS for Music website at www.prsformusic.com.

Businesses can contact the Ombudsman for PRS for Music if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the PRS’s own complaints procedure. See the website www.prsformusic-ombudsman.org for further information.