I do not like to listen to the radio or have it on whilst working, it ruins my concentration and makes me really irritable. I don't like background music either while I am shopping or anywhere else for that matter.
My colleagues like the radio on whilst working, a while back I was approached by the PRS demanding I pay to endure something I find totally objectionable, I told my mates that the radios would have to go as I wasn't going to pay. They agreed to pay the fees in order to keep the radios, I would not get involved at any level, tonight I had a phone call from a chap from the PPL asking about radios, he asked if we had a stereo or radio, I said I hadn't a clue and wasn't interested, he said that I ought to know as it was my premises, I replied that if I had my way I wouldn't have a fxxxing radio anywhere near the place, he has promised to call back tomorrow.
I have been checking tonight on the net and it seems that both organisations can extract payment for having the radio on in business premises. I am totally unimpressed, as I am sure my mates will be when I give them the good news.
I, like a great many professional musicians like music but I want the opportunity to choose when and how I listen to it, I certainly do not want to pay to endure what I regard as a form of pollution, which is how I regard background music.
Here endeth the rant, well for the time being anyway.
Views: 47
Replies
Phil, we had the same some while ago only it was a letter addressed to the registered business address (as we don't correspond from our unit) stating we likely used a radio for staff 'benefits' so had to pay a license fee. We actually don't have a radio as we are all out working on 'remote' sites.
It was followed up be a phone call trying to 'trick' me into admitting we played a radio out loud in our premises.
Politely told them were to go, especially given address is my home. Sent their letter back with some suitably abrupt comments, suggesting I would be happy to see them in court with proof and have not heard further.
They just try it on and suspect they trawl companies house to get small business data and try bullying tactics
I received a letter from the PRS last year. The letter gave an email address to reply so i replied saying i did not have a radio on my premises and that i work at my customers houses.
They replied a few days later basically saying ok we have updated your records. Have not heard from them since.
stu
I think there will be changes to this stupid rule going forward. How can you be charged for broadcasting when some might only be listening involuntarily?
On a slightly similar theme, this article on today's Mail highlights the inadequacies of he TV licensing lawns now so many people are watching TV programmes online: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2304280/BBC-silence-licence...
I had a letter from them in 2011, and a very threatening letter in 2012 as I simply ignored it.
After a firm conversation on the phone explaining that I a) Dont listen to radio, b) don't work at a business presmises (therefore am exempt anyway) and c) work at upto 5 seperate sites a day with LOUD machinery, They had no basis to harrass me with nusance calls and mail.
A call back confirmed they would not contact me again.
I suspect it is the same "business model" that fools people into "paying" to apply for Waste Licenses when they could apply for free etc as discussed on previous threads, but good to be made aware these misleading business are still operating out there.
Reminds me of the Directory Listing scams etc
At the end of the day they rely on people being gullible or not fully checking what actions are required.
Beware :-)
LOL I used to be a musician so know the routine inside out. Some idiot reads the script I say I used to be a musician, they say thanks you and good bye... Only once have I been challenged and he got a good tongue lashing. I might put caller barred on their numbers for fun.
I got into work Friday, after making an early delivery, my mate told me the PPL had rung for me, I explained that they were another bunch of sharks wanting to take money for having a radio at work. He is of course fully aware of my anti attitude to background music and radios at work, he said he would deal with it they rang he spoke to them. "They want £150 a year", he said "I gave them the email address and they are sending you an email".
I received an email late Friday with an invoice for just under £150 attached. I replied telling them that I would only allow radios and cd players on the premises if those who wanted them paid the licences, asked for a credit note,told them to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution with my mate and send him the invoice.
My mate rang them yesterday and is now paying them £68 for the year.
I am very unhappy, we are not running a restaurant pub or large retail area where music could be considered to be something that increases our income stream (not an argument that resonates with me but a point of view none the less), so this is I feel robbery.
The PPL are not a government body enforcing any parliamentary laws, they are a private collection agency working for a bunch of private companies.
There is a very long thread about them on the uk business forums that is worth a read.
There is one quite effective route I have seen discussed and that is to counter invoice them if they persist- covering your time, tel costs and 'handling fee'. Dispatch it and follow up with a collections letter.
I believe the only 'official' agency is the PRS.
tell them to use a ipod or personal radio with ear phones then its not your problem although it might go against h&S lol they trip you up what ever way you turn!
as the music is not for anyone elses benefit apart from there own
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next