Just had a thought as well (ouch, that was painful...) Re-visiting this made me think about how I could not originaly think of a better altenative to ensure that songwriters did get their cut if their songs were performed or played somewhere.

How about the performing artist paying it? Now, before all the professionals get up in arms about this I am talking something like a percentage - say 5% - for every cover they do.

So it goes like this. I book Finger O'Ear at our club and pay him £100. Finger sings 10 of his own songs. 6 traditional ones and 4 covers. Sends his playlist to PRS. PRS send him a bill for £100 / 20 * 4 = £20. £20 * 5% = £1.

Next scenario. Dopey Daves Disco is at our local pub. Dopey Dave plays 50 songs over the course of the night and gets paid £100 by the landlord. 100% cover stuff of course. £100 * 5% - DD gets a bill for a fiver!

Easy init? Any problems so far?

Back to the issue though. Is it worth making some kind of stand or protest about this just like we are over the proposed new PEL's? Any legal eagles out there care to comment?

Cheers

DtG