LANCASHIRE police's Chief Constable is heading for a High Court show-down in a row over playing music in police stations.

Music licensing authority the Performing Right Society (PRS) has accused Steve Finnigan of infringing copyright by allowing music to be played in police stations throughout the county.

Now the PRS is seeking an injunction against Mr Finnigan which could turn all police premises in Lancashire into a music-free zone unless the force buys licences to play music.

advertisementThe PRS is also claiming damages for copyright infringement.

www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/lancashi...c_over_copyright.php

Love it DJ!

Please please please. let them find Limewire on their computer!

Question: If a place such as this were to play music that wasn't registered with the PRS would they still require a PRS license?

Yes they would. The same as the local hairdresser if the music is audible to the public, thereby, it is deemed as not for personal usage, but for public hearing.

Shocking that the POLICE can break the law so openly and with such an attitude.

Stealing is stealing - but when the POLICE steal the law does not apply to them. It seems they want to exist outside of the laws that govern society.

Our POLICE are the laughing stock of the whole world.

They cant catch criminals so they manipulate the crime stats so that it is near impossible to report most crimes - and then break the law themselves at every opportunity ( recently in the press - Child Porn Rings run from main Police Stations - Police Protection Rackets - Special Constables running Vice Services - Drug Cartels run out of Police Stations - and now Music Piracy IN Police Stations )

Forgive me for asking this - but when I was young the POLICE were there to CATCH criminals - not act like criminals ? or have I got "rose tinted" specs on - and it has always been like this ?

Hmm. Watch "An American Gangster" BR.

Mart wrote:
Yes they would. The same as the local hairdresser if the music is audible to the public, thereby, it is deemed as not for personal usage, but for public hearing.Surely not? That would be like having solar panels or a wind-turbine and Powergen charging you for the electricity you've generated because they "own all the electricity". Are you positive on this?

I am, as I recall a local hairdresser getting pulled up on this Q+A.

This was a major item on the BBC news a few days ago. The PRS are targeting small businesses, including a garage where the guy has the radio on while he's working on a car. The two arguments by the PRS were that the music enhances the work experience and that people coming into the garage might hear the music.

I think it's all a bit over the top.

Over the top it may seem like Dominic and I agree that with certain localised PRS inspectors,it can appear like local traffic wardens claiming their double yellow line bonus.
Sadly, myself and many , many ,others , need to eat and await that glorious blue PRS statement.
I think I speak on behalf of many writers, this is what we create, we can`t do anything else and we do need money for it and people to represent us.

I was talking to one writer/performer who told me that he's torn between the 'need to eat' and the knowledge that people playing his music in their shops, etc. is a form of free publicity. He himself has heard a song being played in a shop and ended up buying it.

Do you have any worries that musicians will be seen to be putting money before art, and being greedy? I'm nat saying that's true, just that some people could get that perception from the severe rigidity of the PRS.

Is it good PR?

This PRS story is typical of how the music industry has cart before the horse. If I were the Police force I would see them in court. Mart about eating as well, hmm that's all well and good and admirable etc but getting paid as a result of extortion is evil. Not only that what do PRS do with the money ? Are they logging what CDs are being played and paying it to the rightful owner ? I could put my own CD at work and end up paying you, do you think I would be happy to do this ? Absolutely not. The system is antiquated and benefits only a few and is corrupt to the core.
It needs revamping.

Revamping possibly yes KZ, but the PRS tactics are a classic case of old model usage.
If in doubt? Do what we used to do boys!....

I'm probably showing my ignorance here but is there an alternative to the PRS? and do all musicians and composers have to register with them?

I was just wondering if someone released some music which was not registered with the PRS, and this music was played in a shop with the full blessing of the artist, would the PRS still be able to demand a licence fee even if the artist had bypassed them?

I have to reply to this one.

Many Many years ago I was an inspector for PRS (my 1st job in the industry). My days would be visit places, explain the license, go back to car and type in their details on the license, go back and get them to sign.

One day, hairdressers - do the normal but 2 guys in the back waiting for me.... CID from local station... Give them my ID card (looked very much like their warrant card).. I GET ARRESTED!

2 hours in a cell - they then let me out and as I'm getting my stuff back I ask the desk sargeant if they have a club? OH YES - its great says he... Can I have a look? Course you can, sorry for the arrest thing..

No problem says I

TV RADIO DISCO EVERY THURSDAY 3 DANCE CLASSES A WEEK LIVE BAND ON SATURDAYS!

This was 1976 -

Dominic Dee wrote:
I was talking to one writer/performer who told me that he's torn between the 'need to eat' and the knowledge that people playing his music in their shops, etc. is a form of free publicity. He himself has heard a song being played in a shop and ended up buying it.

Do you have any worries that musicians will be seen to be putting money before art, and being greedy? I'm nat saying that's true, just that some people could get that perception from the severe rigidity of the PRS.

Is it good PR?
Free publicity, that's a good one.

The reason the PRS and other bodies exist is to avoid the possibility that people start blackmailing musicians into giving even more away for free.

Any business that has public access and plays music needs a licence - whether it be Wembley Stadium or the local newsagents. They are entirely entitled to not play music and skip the licence. There are exceptions, which can be found quite readily. I don't understand the fuss.

Michael wrote:
Dominic Dee wrote:
I was talking to one writer/performer who told me that he's torn between the 'need to eat' and the knowledge that people playing his music in their shops, etc. is a form of free publicity. He himself has heard a song being played in a shop and ended up buying it.

Do you have any worries that musicians will be seen to be putting money before art, and being greedy? I'm nat saying that's true, just that some people could get that perception from the severe rigidity of the PRS.

Is it good PR?
Free publicity, that's a good one.

The reason the PRS and other bodies exist is to avoid the possibility that people start blackmailing musicians into giving even more away for free.

Any business that has public access and plays music needs a licence - whether it be Wembley Stadium or the local newsagents. They are entirely entitled to not play music and skip the licence. There are exceptions, which can be found quite readily. I don't understand the fuss.I

As you can see, with over 2500 views to this thread so far, it is a topic of great interest to many.

I look forward to my regular (and I have to say fairly substantial) cheques from PRS.

After all I've been a member for 43 years.

But I must admit to not paying too much attention to the details.

I do however have many friends (Roger Greenaway who I met in that restaurant in the South of France a few weeks ago), John Carter (First Class and others) and others who are very involved.

I leave it to them to fight for my interests!

I think one reason for the fuss is that they are targeting people who are not playing music as such but listening to the radio which has already paid a licence to broadcast.

How about people who play music in their cars with the windows open? Or private parties where the guests are treated to music?

There is a difference between intentionally playing music to an audience, and having a radio on in the background.