UK police nicked by copyright cop for playing radio too loud

solaris

Head executives of the BPI and the PRS to their staffs: "Now guys - how can we shoot ourselves in the foot most effectively? Anyone?"

Quote:

The Performing Rights Society (PRS), which collects royalties for musicians in the UK, has accused Lancashire police of committing copyright infringement by playing music in police stations and to callers on hold without an appropriate license. In a writ submitted to the High Court, the PRS has called for an injunction and payment of damages.

The PRS contends that playing music that is audible to others constitutes a public performance, meaning that it can't be done without a license. The Lancashire police stations play music in the background, at office parties, and in staff gyms, even though they have not purchased licenses that enable them to do so legally.

PRS says that it has attempted to collect licensing fees from police all over the country, but Lancashire is one of 11 that have refused to pay up, which is why PRS decided to take legal action.

Full article here:

UK police nicked by copyright cop for playing radio too loud

and more on this here:

Police Chief Faces High Court Anti-Piracy Action | TorrentFreak

approaching oblivion · 06-14-2008, 02:43 PM

Same thing here in the States. If any music is played in public, it has to be Muzak or some other licensed company that pays royalties.

Starcat · **What about mp3 players? -** 06-15-2008, 02:53 PM

What if you are on a train, for example, and others around you can hear the music "leaking" from your mp3 player?
Would that constitute "public performance" of music that can be heard by others, and require a licence?
Just a thought

vikulenka · 06-15-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starcat

What if you are on a train, for example, and others around you can hear the music "leaking" from your mp3 player?
Would that constitute "public performance" of music that can be heard by others, and require a licence?
Just a thought

This is supposed to be a really BAAAAAAD idea, remember? Stop finding the positive in it

Starcat · 06-15-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikulenka

This is supposed to be a really BAAAAAAD idea, remember? Stop finding the positive in it

Hi Vik,

Not trying to find the positive in it, it was just a thought that occured to me.

vikulenka · 06-15-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starcat

Hi Vik,

Not trying to find the positive in it, it was just a thought that occured to me.

I was joking

Although strangling the ones blasting music on the subway is always quite tempting

Dazman · 06-16-2008, 11:31 AM

What about if I play music in a private office at work and someone walks in. Do I have to tell them to stop listening !?!?! And what happens if they start to dance? Do I need another license for that too? And what happens if I find their dancing amusing? Do I need another license to smile at them?

solaris · **Licenses -** 06-16-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazman

What about if I play music in a private office at work and someone walks in. Do I have to tell them to stop listening !?!?! And what happens if they start to dance? Do I need another license for that too? And what happens if I find their dancing amusing? Do I need another license to smile at them?

Daz, you should get a license to breathe before you worry about the above