Announcements

Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL), which represents the record industry and against whom we and the British Beer and Pub Association won a major Copyright Tribunal case on background music, has now launched a consultation on its Specially Featured Entertainment (SFE) tariff. The increases proposed, albeit to be spread over three years, are, in some cases, over 2000 per cent (that’s not a typo- it’s 2000 per cent). A one hour disco with just under 75 people present would go from £1.85 to £38.75; a four hour disco with just under 200 people present would go from £26.57 to £271.88p.

PPL is now defining a public performance as coming under the SFE tariff where: “a DJ is used to play the sound recordings at the venue; or there is dancing, table/lap dancing, dancing on ice or roller discoing in the venue (or the provision of facilities for such dancing with the reasonable expectation that dancing will take place).” Audience size will affect the PPL tariff payable, either the actual audited attendance figure or, if that’s not available, the capacity.

The consultation is at www.ppluk.com and closes on 14 October. We’re in discussion with other affected sectors to discuss how to react to these unbelievable increases.  If you expect to be affected, please send your comments and estimate of the extra cost to martin.couchman@bha.org.uk