Legalities of cover bands in pubs

[nevpugh308]

Just been reading this thread about Kwik Fit getting slapped by the PRS coz customers could hear there radios ...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

... and I got to wondering, if it's illegal to play to someone else a radio or CD in public, and you cannot make copies of CDs for other people legally, and you are suppose to pay for sheet music and tab ... what are the legalities around a band playing cover tracks live in a pub or club ?

[Nickthebassist]

It depends on whether that pub pays the PRS a fee. If it's a big venue you have ot fill in a sheet with all the covers of bands you have done, then the PRS send off money to the band.

[nevpugh308]

So what if it's a small pub, that's not registered ?

[PJR]

Nickthebassist said:

It depends on whether that pub pays the PRS a fee. If it's a big venue you have ot fill in a sheet with all the covers of bands you have done, then the PRS send off money to the band.

They forward it to the band after taking their 40% cut.

nevpugh308 said:

So what if it's a small pub, that's not registered ?

Well, it should be registered if they play music. More info here:
http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/playingbroadcas...

P,

[chevy-stu]

Any premises (pub, shop, doctors waiting room, bingo hall etc) that plays a radio or cd whatever of any music is supposed to be registered with PRS.....

[MitchT]

My workplace has a sticker on one of the glass doors into the reception area saying 'licensed music played here', which I guess means they have paid PRS for any music that emanates from the TV in the staff lounge or any other exposure to music experienced by staff. Does this mean I should join the PRS and claim for all the time I spend listening to my own music on my iPod? Not that I do, but I could!

Edited by MitchT on Tuesday 27th November 08:12

[trackcar]

Is this just for customers in private places? what about hearing the CD player from someone's car as you walk down the street.. is that in breach of this law too (as well as the taste laws depending what music it is?) ?