New PPL tariff ‘significantly lower than original proposal’
The tariff will cover the playing of recorded music at events including discos and DJ sets/presentations in pubs, bars, nightclubs, hotels, cafés and restaurants.
It has been agreed in consultation with trade bodies the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) and UKHospitality (UKH) in settlement of the copyright tribunal proceedings between the parties.
The SFE tariff, Specially Featured Entertainment PPLPP299 will apply to operators from their first licence year (whether new or renewed) that starts on or after 1 January next year.
New tariff
Some of the changes will be implemented over a number of years and the tariff won’t be fully phased in until 2030.
It is understood for licence years that start before the first day of 2023, operators who have the SFE tariff will continue to be charged by PPL PRS for the use of PPL’s sound recordings including pubs.
For each SFE event, the fee is 88p for every hour and every one to 25 people who attend the event. The fees for SFE events with more than 300 attendees are subject to discounts. This is for the first year. For future years, the fees will be adjusted using the consumer prices index (CPI).
Shame fees have increased
A joint statement from the BBPA and UKH said: “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with PPL on this new tariff and hope it will end uncertainty around costs for music licensing.
“The new rates are significantly lower than originally proposed and bring to end an expensive tribunal process.
“At a time where our pubs, bars and nightclubs are under immense financial pressure, it is a shame fees have increased but we welcome the longevity of the new structure and hope they will provide clarity in the longer-term for our members looking to play music in their venues.”
At the start of the pandemic (March 2020), PPL PRS said it was not charging customers for their music during the closure period that followed.
