15/02/2010 - Music charge refunds for caterers
Pubs, hotels and restaurants are to be refunded by up to £20 million over charges for playing recorded music.
New tariffs introduced by the Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) in 2005/6 meant fees were increased by more than four times, said the Institute of Licensing.
A copyright tribunal ruling, which the institute said would see caterers and retailers get up to £20 million back, was upheld by the High Court when Mr Justice Arnold dismissed an appeal by PPL. The ruling confirmed savings of around £3 million a year for pubs, and allows for refunds going back to 2005 that could reach £10 million, said the institute.
The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the British Hospitality Association (BHA), with bodies representing the retail sector, took the case to the tribunal - which found the new tariffs were not reasonable at a hearing last November.
Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: "This judgment confirms the victory won, and is another milestone which brings a step closer the prospect of substantial and fully justified refunds for pubs. This could not come at a more important time for our sector as we struggle to come out of recession."
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