PUBS, clubs, commercial premises and businesses throughout Northumberland have received warnings from music licence organisation Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) after a North Tyne restaurant and guest house proprietor was banned.

In the wake of a music ban and a legal costs bill of more than £1,700 imposed by the High Court, PPL warned: “Businesses that choose to play recorded music without a licence may face legal action and possible hefty financial and other consequences as a result.”

Andrew Verrier, owner and proprietor of The Garden Restaurant and Guesthouse at Charlton, Bellingham was caught playing recorded copyrighted tracks at the bar without a PPL licence.

The case went before one of the country’s top judges who banned Verrier from playing recorded music at The Garden and any premises he runs until his licence is brought up to date.

Mr Justice Henderson also ordered Verrier, who was not present or represented at court, to pay £1,769 in legal costs.

Failure to obey the order would be regarded as contempt of court with penalties of up to £10,000 and six months in prison for individuals responsible.

The order was imposed after a judge heard that a PPL inspector heard music being played on the premises when Verrier did not hold a PPL licence.

The inspector heard tracks including ‘White Flag’ by Dido, ‘Waterfalls’ by TLC and ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’ by Scouting for Girls during his visit on March 14 last year.

Maxwell Keay, counsel for PPL, told the judge that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing Verrier that playing sound recordings in public without PPL’s licence or permission constitutes as infringement of its copyright.

The letters also invited Verrier to acquire a licence.

Christine Geissmar, operations director at PPL, said: “There is an intrinsic value that recorded music adds to business and this judgement acknowledges that the performers of the music and record companies should be fairly rewarded.

“Businesses that choose to play rewarded music without a licence may face legal action and financial and other consequences as a result.

“Legal action is only ever sought as a last resort where a business continues to play music following repeated attempts from PPL to get the correct licencing in place.

“PPL issues licences to hundreds of thousands of businesses across the UK when they play recorded music to their staff or customers.

“Licensees include bars, nightclubs, shops, hotels, factories, gyms, offices, schools, universities and public sector organisations up and down the country.

“After the deduction of PPL’s running costs, all licence fee income is distributed to PPL’s record company and performer members. The majority are small businesses, all of whom are legally entitled to be fairly paid for use of their recordings and performances. PPL does not retain a profit for its services.”

The ban applies to all forms of mechanically recorded music such as records, tapes and CDs in PPL’s repertoire. The ban remains until The Garden settles the costs and brings its licences up to date.