PPl licence returns

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: Howard Jones
Date: 02 Dec 21 - 10:07 AM

Check with PRS/PPL whether it is your dance club or the premises where you meet which requires the licence. I would expect the latter, but it is all very complicated.

If you copy music from CDs onto eg a laptop or phone and then play the copies in public you might need a licence for making the copies. Like I said, it's complicated.

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: Mo the caller
Date: 02 Dec 21 - 08:07 AM

They used to advise all their member dance clubs that they needed PPL if they used recorded music, and so did callers who used recordings for bookings open to the public (e.g PTA or Harvest ceilidhs but not Weddings & other private parties). They told us that they had negotiated a cut price, and sent out renewal demands with membership renewals. What they didn't tell us was that they were taking a handling fee and it would have been cheaper to go direct. As many clubs discovered this for themselves EFDSS decided to stop selling PPL. We got a demand from them last year (weren't meeting, didn't pay) but this year we had to go direct to the new combined Pwhatever

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: Howard Jones
Date: 30 Nov 21 - 09:42 AM

While looking for something else entirely, I noticed this on the EFDSS website:

"Members who pay for their PPL licence through EFDSS can download TheMusicLicence terms and conditions here."

I can't add a direct link to the T&Cs but it's on the group membership page:

https://www.efdss.org/support-us/join-us/groups

Typically of EFDSS, I can't see any other reference to it offering this service, why you should use it, or how to apply.

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: Howard Jones
Date: 28 Nov 21 - 06:42 AM

Perhaps I got the terminology wrong. PRS and PPL have joined forces to come up with a joint licence which covers both live and recorded music:

TheMusicLicence

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Nov 21 - 02:38 PM

Howard

PRS Composers and mechanical rights do not cover PPL rights. Unless things have changed since I left.

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: GUEST,Howard Jones
Date: 27 Nov 21 - 12:17 PM

I believe PRS and PPL now issue a combined licence which covers both the composers' and the mechanical rights. However it is usually the venues responsibility.

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 27 Nov 21 - 10:29 AM

Mo,

PPL and PRS are two separate organisations. PPL= Payment for the playing of Commercially recorded music. The venue is responsible for the license. You just tell them (the venue) which recordings you have used.

PRS is for song/music writers. If the music you use in non copyright, i.e; traditional there is nothing for them to collect. As with PPL it is the venue that is licensed.

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Nov 21 - 09:41 AM

It used to be a PPL not PRS, but I think they've combined now.
We certainly filled in a form saying which tracks on which CD by which artist + the catalogue number. Didn't they pay you for them? I'm sure I've used yours.

Subject: RE: PPl licence returns
From: Howard Jones
Date: 27 Nov 21 - 08:17 AM

Usually it is the responsibility of the venue to obtain a licence from PRS, so first check with them what licence they have and what it covers. Unless there are no other musical activities held there and they never play recorded music themselves, they should have one. If it covers the use of recorded music then I would think this should include your club when you use the venue. The cost of the licence is one of the overheads they will take into account when setting their room hire rates.

I'm not sure what involvement the EFDSS has/had. Did it hold the PRS licence itself? If so I suggest you contact them.

The payment for the use of the music is the fee paid for the PRS licence. A return is simply one of the methods PRS uses to know what music is being played and distribute its income to the appropriate composers as royalties. A return does not generate a separate payment from the user. It is the licence holder's responsibility to submit the return to PRS. Whenever my band is given a return we just fill it in and hand it back to the event organiser.

If you're still confused you could try contacting PRS. Their range of licences and tariffs is fearsomely confusing, but they are usually very helpful to deal with. They want people to get the correct licence and pay only the appropriate rate.

Subject: PPl licence returns
From: Mo the caller
Date: 27 Nov 21 - 06:46 AM

In the past our dance club paid a fee for using recorded music via EFDSS, and were sent a form to list the tracks used.
Our club has restarted, we were told we should pay directly to the Performing Rights society but I can't work out how to send in a return.