If you act on behalf of clients who have had to pay Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) licence fees for playing background music in public, then advise them that they may be eligible for a refund.

PPL collects fees for licences to play music in pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, stores, offices and factories. A new pricing structure came into force in 2006, which meant that larger shops paid 200% more and large restaurants 400% more (the average increase was 130%). The Copyright Tribunal has now disapproved of those large increases and ordered that a 10% increase, plus RPI, was reasonable. That will be the rate going forward, but PPL must also pay refunds for over-payments since 1 January 2006. Apparently, this could affect about 100,000 businesses. Although PPL will be appealing, it is important for businesses to consider whether they should claim a refund. Source: TLT Solicitors.