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Recent Legislation Leaving Retailers Confused
Listed under: News
Published: Friday, January 22, 2010
Small business owners, who are currently being forced to pay hundreds of pounds so they can play music at work, should be made more aware of the fact that they have the right to complain to an impartial ombudsman if they feel they have been unfairly treated by the organisation administering the law, according to business support group, the Forum of Private Business (FPB).
The legislation – which currently states that all business owners have to pay a fee if their customers or staff are able to listen to music in the workplace, whether it be through traditional mediums, such as CD players and radios, or the music recorded on telephones for when customers are put on hold – has caused nothing but controversy since its launch in July 2009, with retailers accusing the Performing Rights Society (PRS), which enforces the law, of everything from unhelpful phone calls and confusing charges, to unexplained price rises.
The FPB has called for a review of the current system following a stream of complaints to its helpline.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the FPB’s policy representative, Matt Goodman, highlights the fact that very few business owners are presently aware the ombudsman even exists, saying, “We have received call after call from concerned members complaining about their treatment at the hands of the PRS and the first they have heard about this avenue for airing complaints is when we tell them about it.”
He continues, “A PRS licence is a legal requirement and an ombudsman is a good way of addressing small business's concerns, but it is difficult to accept yet another cost to independent companies. Without a well-understood model, such as the TV licence, the frustrations of many small businesses are only compounded by the lack of clarity and information.”
The PRS's website currently has more than 40 different price tariffs on its website, listing the different costs of purchasing a licence, something which presently varies depending on the size and type of business.
Commenting on the law, Tony Wade, of print supplier, Trade Labels Ltd, says, “I can only presume they are geared towards getting the maximum amount of money they can. I knew nothing about an ombudsman. I had never heard this was available, nor did any other business I’ve discussed the PRS with.”
To get in touch with your ombudsman, please visit the PRS for Music Ombudsman at http://www.prsformusic-ombudsman.org
Have you been affected by the issue raised in this story, if so, we would like to hear from you. Email your experiences to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The legislation – which currently states that all business owners have to pay a fee if their customers or staff are able to listen to music in the workplace, whether it be through traditional mediums, such as CD players and radios, or the music recorded on telephones for when customers are put on hold – has caused nothing but controversy since its launch in July 2009, with retailers accusing the Performing Rights Society (PRS), which enforces the law, of everything from unhelpful phone calls and confusing charges, to unexplained price rises.
The FPB has called for a review of the current system following a stream of complaints to its helpline.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, the FPB’s policy representative, Matt Goodman, highlights the fact that very few business owners are presently aware the ombudsman even exists, saying, “We have received call after call from concerned members complaining about their treatment at the hands of the PRS and the first they have heard about this avenue for airing complaints is when we tell them about it.”
He continues, “A PRS licence is a legal requirement and an ombudsman is a good way of addressing small business's concerns, but it is difficult to accept yet another cost to independent companies. Without a well-understood model, such as the TV licence, the frustrations of many small businesses are only compounded by the lack of clarity and information.”
The PRS's website currently has more than 40 different price tariffs on its website, listing the different costs of purchasing a licence, something which presently varies depending on the size and type of business.
Commenting on the law, Tony Wade, of print supplier, Trade Labels Ltd, says, “I can only presume they are geared towards getting the maximum amount of money they can. I knew nothing about an ombudsman. I had never heard this was available, nor did any other business I’ve discussed the PRS with.”
To get in touch with your ombudsman, please visit the PRS for Music Ombudsman at http://www.prsformusic-ombudsman.org
Have you been affected by the issue raised in this story, if so, we would like to hear from you. Email your experiences to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
