The Federation of Small Business has called to relax the law whereby workplaces pay a licence fee to play music on their premises.

The Federation of Small Business has called to relax the law whereby workplaces pay a licence fee to play music on their premises.

If a radio is played in a public premises (such as a shop), a fee is paid to the Performing Rights Society, who in turn collect this money on behalf of the artists.

The FSB claim that this law is unfair and too expensive for small businesses to pay but the PRS have responded saying, “Studies have shown music at work improves productivity performance. It is estimated that more than half a million businesses across the UK are playing music illegally.

The FSB have said that they don’t disagree with the PRS collecting money from restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars and those tunes on mobile phones in call centers” but drew the line when a fee was still expected when "the radio is essentially in a backroom for the boss, not intended for the staff but the staff may be within earshot - or there may be some customers within earshot".

At present the punishment for unlawful playing of music in a public place may result in a fine or even court proceedings.

The dispute continues.

More Bodytonic news