PPL announces details of new “Specially Featured Entertainment” Tariff

Following a formal consultation last year regarding the scope, structure, fees and implementation of a new Specially Featured Entertainment (“SFE”) tariff PPL PRS Ltd have announced a new tariff, coming into effect on 1 July 2019.

The new tariff relates to the playing of recorded music in public at events such as discos and DJ nights and applies to nightclubs, pubs and bars, cafes and restaurants, and hotels.

The present tariff, which had been in place for around 30 years, was in PPL’s view too low to be an appropriate reflection of the value to businesses of using recorded music at SFE events.

The new SFE tariff will see a number of changes and clarifications, including:

• Measuring the audience at an SFE event by using the total number of admissions to the event.
• A change so that the fee will increase in direct proportion to the size of the audience (measured in bands of 25 persons).
• The introduction of two new smaller tariff bands, for SFE events with attendances of 1-25 and 26-50 persons.

The new tariffs will have a phased introduction over a 5 year period from July 2019.  An initial rate of 4 pence per person per hour will rise over the period to fees based on a rate of 9 pence per person per hour by 2023 (subject to annual indexation).

If you have any queries regarding your licensing requirement for copyright or more generally, please give one of our solicitors a call on 0114 266 8664.