Ombudsman to fight for right to play music at work
Ombudsman to fight for right to play music at workAgency bosses, whom are paying hundreds of pounds so they can legally play music at work, are now able to complain to an ombudsman if they have been treated unfairly.
Small business owners, many of whom are paying hundreds of pounds so they can legally play music at work, are now able to complain to an ombudsman if they believe they have been treated unfairly by the Performing Rights Society (PRS).
Under the law, business owners have to pay if their staff or customers are able to listen to music played in a range of formats – including hold music recorded on telephones – even if this is not for commercial reasons.
The ombudsman was recommended in a consultation into the new PRS code of practice following a number of complaints from small businesses about the organisation, including less-than-courteous phone calls and unexplained price increases.
However, members of the Forum of Private Business (FPB) have reported they had no idea the service, which was launched in July 2009, existed at all.
The FPB’s www.smallbusinesschannel.co.uk was launched to provide free video advice and information on a range of topics to business owners.
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we play music at work, we all bring our ipods in and take turns - letter arrived from PRS demanding money - letter went in the bin. I accept that if we were broadcasting to the general public or using music to create an affect or atmosphere to sell our products then yes, you should pay this. We are a small team of 4 listening to an ipod on a dock. I'd rather bin the dock that pay this. Show some sense PRS and maybe your demands for money will be better received.
HAHAHA - I wrote the above comment and got a phone call from them this morning - a voice simply said 'can I speak to the company director'...'hold on' I said, ''I'll need to turn down the music, whos calling?'....'PRS for Music' said the voice on the other end of the line..
lets just say they were politely told to go f@k themselves.
sorry, I meant the 'below comment!'
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