Music Licensing in Offices

King Damager · 10 Jun 2011 at 15:56

Ok, so today, we got a group e-mail sent out by HR, informing us that we're not allowed to listen to any music in the office due to Licensing issues....

Is there actually any legal standing on this?

I can presume there may well be an issue with playing music out loud, but surely music through a pair of headphones that no one else can hear and you've bought the cd/rights to, there is no legal issue?

kd

Burnsy2023 · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:00

King Damager said:
I can presume there may well be an issue with playing music out loud, but surely music through a pair of headphones that no one else can hear and you've bought the cd/rights to, there is no legal issue?

Yes I think that's ok. A Public Performance Licence would be required if you were to play it out loud.

@play · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:01

Music should be banned from all workplaces - Shopping has become a nightmare with stores having music blasting out 24/7

Burnsy2023 · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:03

@play said:
Music should be banned from all workplaces - Shopping has become a nightmare with stores having music blasting out 24/7

If it's a private office why do you care?

Cosimo · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:04

@play said:
Music should be banned from all workplaces - Shopping has become a nightmare with stores having music blasting out 24/7

What stores do you go to that have music blasting out? Most of the ones I go to don’t have music and if they do you can barely hear it.

AHarvey · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:06

we've got music playing out loud and people with headphones in an office, don't think we've a licence here.

However, from a work point of view, people with headphones in are a royal pain in the ass as you simply cannot communicate with them. In our office its highly common to see someone throwing a pen or something at someone to get their attention.

King Damager · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:07

Burnsy2023 said:
Yes I think that's ok. A Public Performance Licence would be required if you were to play it out loud.

On a related note to this, would someone who is a DJ and had this licence, would they be able to play music to the office? xD

kd

Steeps · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:12

You can't have one radio playing to a group of people, but if you have a radio per person it's fine

Kiyoshi · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:16

I work in an office we're you're allowed to wear headphones if you wish, I don't myself. It can be difficult to get somebody's attention occasionally as they obviously can't hear you. I suppose they could play the card of 'they might not hear the fire alarm' or some such thing.

ShortWarning · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:19

King Damager said:
On a related note to this, would someone who is a DJ and had this licence, would they be able to play music to the office? xD

kd

I believe the PRS license is for the premises, not the individual.

It's based on capacity of premises.

Tute · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:25

Isn't it to do with the number of people you're "broadcasting" to?

Narj · 10 Jun 2011 at 16:38

Steeps said:
You can't have one radio playing to a group of people, but if you have a radio per person it's fine

Try telling the builders currently in my house that!

SexyGreyFox · 10 Jun 2011 at 18:57

@play said:
Shopping has become a nightmare with stores having music blasting out 24/7

I went into HMV last week and it was like being in a music shop

J.B · 10 Jun 2011 at 19:01

@play said:
Music should be banned from all workplaces - Shopping has become a nightmare with stores having music blasting out 24/7

@play in sweeping generalisation shocker

I will admit though, I went to Jane Normans a little while ago with the GF and it was like bloody rave in there the music was so loud.

I actually quite like music in shops if it's a bearable volume and when I work at home or am alone in the office I'll normally put some music on

DJMK4 · 11 Jun 2011 at 02:56

We got rid of the office radio when someone joined the company and he would always complain about the "cool" radio stations and he would always switch it to classic fm. Was horrid

Clown · 11 Jun 2011 at 08:18

Nothing wrong with a bit of classical.

BlackDragon · 11 Jun 2011 at 08:32

I wouldn't have thought you would require a license to listen to your own music using headphones, regardless of where you are.

I would also argue that you would not need a public performance license, as the office is private property, and not open to the public.

GAC · 11 Jun 2011 at 09:17

sounds like your companys had an email from the prs fishing for money. even though you dont need to they want you to pay up and will scare companys in to doing it.

only time you would need one is if you had members of the public coming in, a shop for example.

but a private office as far as i know doesnt require one as it can be argued its personal use if its just a radio in the corner someones brought in, IF the company hooked up a internal speaker system maybe then they would have to pay as they are providing it to you.

ElliorR · 11 Jun 2011 at 09:27

dmpoole said:
I went into HMV last week and it was like being in a music shop

Just 10x more expensive.

We have a licence at work for the radio played over a loud speaker system and it's on a timer as the licence only allows for a certain amount of play time per day (or week or whatever it is).

Many people also have their MP3 players, with headphones, on in the canteen and it's never been an issue.

BringTheRain · 11 Jun 2011 at 09:29

How do HMV sell blu rays. I went in and most blu rays ranged from £15-25. £25 for hitman. Come on lol.

We got told off, for having the radio on on our shop

no fine. Just told to remove it.