PHONOGRAPHIC PERFORMANCE LIMITED

Background

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) is a music industry organisation collecting and distributing airplay and public performance royalties in the UK on behalf of over 3,000 record companies and 30,000 performers. It was set up in 1934 by the recording industry to grant licences for the playing or broadcasting of sound recordings such as CDs, tapes and records in public.

Important note!

PPL and PRS are not the same. Whenever you play a sound recording in public there are two separate licences that have to be paid:

• PRS: which distributes payments to composers and publishers.
• PPL: which distributes payments to record companies and performers.

At-a-glance guide to PRS and PPL

	PRS	PPL
Jukebox
CD/record/tape
Radio
TV (inc. satellite)
Video/films
Live music
DJs/dancing
Karaoke

PPL Licence and fees

PPL usually licenses the occupier of the premises if the sound recordings and the equipment are not rented. If you hire a jukebox or music system from a PPL-licensed supplier, they should obtain a licence on your behalf. (Check that your supplier has done this for you, and if not, you will need to apply for one yourself through PPL.) If you hold events such as discos, you may also need an extra licence direct from PPL. Licences usually cover 12-month periods known as ‘licensing years’.

PPL fees are based on various tariffs that are applicable for different types of activities. Examples of tariffs that may be applicable to your pub operation are explained here (based on 2007 rates and subject to annual adjustment in line with the Retail Price Index, RPI).

Tariff 001: Specially featured entertainment
This tariff applies whenever sound recordings are played as a main or special attraction, rather than for background music. Eg discos and DJ presentations.
Fee is calculated according to the average attendance and duration of the event	For example a 5-hour event with up to 75 persons attending: £8.32 (exclusive of VAT)

Tariff 002: Background music – single and casual events
This tariff applies to the playing of sound recordings at single and casual events such as firework displays etc.
For attendances of 1,500 persons	£10.01 per event (exclusive of VAT)

Tariff 003: Pop/music quizzes
This tariff applies when sound recordings are played at premises providing pop/music quizzes or any general quiz involving some musical content.
Flat rate fee per quiz	£3.01 per quiz (exclusive of VAT)

Tariff 010: Jukeboxes with background music
This tariff is used for premises when a jukebox with a background music facility has been installed (ie a jukebox with a freeplay facility).
Single rates	£127.94 per annum (exclusive of VAT)
Multiple rates (for machines owned or supplied by multiple operators)	£95.96 (exclusive of VAT)

Tariff 011: Jukeboxes
This tariff is used for premises when a jukebox without a background music facility has been installed (ie a jukebox without a freeplay facility).
Single rates	£95.99 per annum (exclusive of VAT)
Multiple rates (for machines owned or supplied by multiple operators)	£63.99

Tariff 110: Background music – public houses/bars/restaurants and cafes
This tariff applies to the public performance of sound recordings as background music.
Size of premises (audible area) in metres squared (m2)	Fee per annum
Up to 100 101–200 201–300 301–400	£106.50 £213.00 £319.50 £426.00

Where to get a PPL licence

You can telephone PPL on 020 7534 1000 (during normal working hours), for further advice and to apply for a licence. You can also apply for your licence on-line.

What happens if you do not take out a PPL licence?

If you publicly perform sound recordings without a PPL licence, you are infringing copyright. If you obtain your PPL licence after you have already started to publicly perform sound recordings, you will also need to pay for a licence that retrospectively covers the period since your public performance began. Surcharges of up to 50% may also be applicable for failing to obtain a PPL licence.