Upcoming Events :
Housing Seminar: Partnerships with the Public Sector – Avoiding the pitfalls
Thu 31 May 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
Pubs win legal battle against PPL
Mon 15 Feb 2010
Businesses that are licensed to serve alcohol could be set to receive millions of pounds in refunds after winning a legal battle on the cost of playing music on their premises.
Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) had raised the tariffs for playing recorded music by 403 per cent in 2005, a move which many in the hospitality industry viewed as unfair.
Industry bodies including the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) therefore decided to take legal action, which has ultimately proved to be successful.
Pubs, hotels and restaurants could now be in line to save millions of pounds every year and claim back refunds on the previous charges.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said the victory is an important one for the industry, since it will provide a boost as it aims to recover from the recent recession.
She added that the BBPA's persistence in pursuing this case has paid off.
PPL has expressed disappointment at the outcome, arguing that the new tariffs will "substantially undervalue" the rights of performers and record company members.
