The PPL provision II: PPL secures not-for-profit levy

Christmas is over – and from January 1st 2011 Phonographic Performance Limited, the record and recording artists collection society, have secured the removal of an exception in music licensing rules which enables PPL to collect from charities and not-for-profit sector. The sector had enjoyed an exemption from the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, although this did not include an exemption from PRS payments which are collected on behalf of publishers and songwriters. PPL has extensively lobbied to have the exemption for music use in village halls, community halls, student nightclubs and council buildings to be removed and bring the UK in to line with European law (the European Copyright Directive and the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003) and provide remuneration for performers and record companies. PPL and VPL chairman and chief executive Fran Nevrkla told Music Week “From a business point of view the countless artificial exceptions and exclusions in existence gave the excuse to many licensees to avoid payment for use of sound recordings” and Nevrkla added, “On my part I was not prepared to accept a situation which meant that the rights of our constituents, both the performers and the record labels, were being constantly downgraded”. New tariffs have yet to be set and the number of organisations that will require a licence unknown, PPL’s Director of Government Affairs, Dominic McGonigal, says it is impossible to calculate how much PPL will collect from the sector in the future following the changes. There will also be a year’s grace period and during this period PPL and the charity sector will sit down to negotiate rates and how the scheme can be implemented. Music Week say that it is already envisaged that there will be a blanket licence for some village halls and community centres and small charities using these facilities will, therefore, not need to obtain a separate licence. Performers who receive payment can choose to donate their revenues to charities of their choice

PPL will continue not to license the use of sound recordings in NHS hospital wards, religious services, domestic use in care homes and in medical treatments taking place in NHS hospitals

http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1043770&c=1

http://www.ppluk.com/en/Music-Users/Information-for-Charities/

http://www.prsformusic.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PPS%20Tariffs/CB-2010-04%20Tariff.pdf