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Post by shyamwestwind on Oct 30, 2008 18:26:35 GMT
Hi Everyone
I'm feeling down in the Dumps here at Bangalore. Its getting closer to the good season when we gigging musicians make a better living , but a new problem has cropped up and I wonder what fate holds for us musos here.
The Alumni of a well known school here had invited my Duo to play for their Annual Get together at a Five Star Hotel here on December 13th. The hosts called me to inform me that the Banquet Manager wanted them to get the PPL (Phonographic Performers Licence) which is issued by the PPL.
I read through the requirements in their website and they all dealt with playing recorded music, like the stuff DJs play .
I have now been told that we, also come into their purview and I am at a loss to understand how.
The hosts will have to get a licence which will cost them four times what we charge for our performance, and theres every chance that they might say they dont need us.
If this stipulation becomes a must, then we will all be out of jobs.
I have written to the PPL (U.K.) asking them for their interpretation and I wonder if they'll reply to a musician from India. Can someone from our Forum find out and let me know what the implications are.
Do all of you gigging in the U.K. have to get these licences ?
I just need a guideline to follow to allow me to discuss this with the PPL here
Please do help.
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Post by JohnG on Oct 30, 2008 21:08:12 GMT
Hi Shyam,
Just to give what I think is the case. A premise has to have a licence for both live and recorded music now I think. But those closer to the coalface may be able to give you more info. Not surprised you're feeling down in the dumps. The regulatory bodies are killing off live music it seems. It's all down to greed again, just like the bankers (change a b for a w)! Sorry if I offend anyone.
JohnG.
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Post by shyamwestwind on Oct 31, 2008 11:53:00 GMT
iYou're darned right JohnG AND i;m really cheesed off . I'll need to do my own stuff but I'll need to do covers if I have to get the gigs.
Anyone know anyone from PPL U.K ? I just need some info on how they operate there.
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Post by weegeo on Oct 31, 2008 13:31:16 GMT
hiya Shyam as John has said over here we have the performing rights society, they go round the clubs were music either live,files or any other format are being played and check what the musicians are playing. We had a gig recently and this guy was feverishly writing down all that we sang and by whom now this doesn`t affect us as players at all BUT the club,bar,hotel or marquee must have a p.r.s membership if not they can be closed down.
There is of course a lot more to it but this is the part that concerns us most.
Hope this helps you
weegeo-----------------------------sitting on a hillside in Shyam`s beautiful country
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Post by jacqui01 on Oct 31, 2008 14:54:42 GMT
Hi Shyam
I've come across people from the P.R.S a few times in the past, writing down what I was singing, after speaking to them I was informed that it was to make sure the royalties get to the right people, looking on the net it seems the P.R.S & the P.P.L are part of the same thing, but two separate licenses, it's nearly always the venue who has to pay this license, and I have seen it mentioned on the net that Private Functions are excluded from this fee, for example, A Birthday Party, Wedding etc.
What surprises me is that the 5 Star Hotel with a Banquet Manager does not already have a license, what goes on there the rest of the year, most social events they host I would imagine have some kind of music for the guests, so what happens then?
Jacqui
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Post by shyamwestwind on Oct 31, 2008 19:44:22 GMT
Thanks for the useful information. The particular Hotel actually has a Duo playing six days a week but it seems they come under a different licensing purview !! It is difficult to understand what is required of us musicians and I wish they would offer us a licence to play/sing our music wherever we are wanted. I would happily pay a reasonable fee to get such a licence and hosts of events, corporate or personal will be happy to hire "licensed musicians" . We could advertise ourselves as licensed musicians and I'm sure no host will mind a little hike in our fees .
If the host of an event has to pay exhorbitant licence fees for hiring musos like us, they will , probably not have us play at all.
Dont we hire licensed plumbers, carpenters etc etc ? Well, why not licensed musicians ? Very honestly speaking I understand and appreciate the support for composers and respect and believe that their copyrights have to be honoured, so let these organisations formulate some guidelines and collect reasonable licence fees. We will be legal and our hosts will feel safe knowing they have hired "licensed" musicians and with a uniform law in place, the composers will also earn their rightful dues.
I will be writing to the PPL people here asking them whether our playing music for this particular programme needs any licence . They sounded very very vague when I asked them on the phone and I wonder if I will get their written reply
I will keep all of you posted on developments.Till then please do let me have any information you have on this from your part of the world. It will be much appreciated.
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Post by themd21 on Nov 3, 2008 9:28:32 GMT
Hi Shyam,
Just a thought.
Could it be that the Alumni or the hotel are trying to exclude you from the proceedings.The hotel is responsible for the performers license i.e. Entertainment License, which they obviously retain, because they have resident performers.
Is it possible they are trying to push their own duo?
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Post by weegeo on Nov 3, 2008 19:45:22 GMT
Ahh the wise old jimmy g never thought of that btw Stewart Baxter was asking about you lol
weegeo
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Post by shyamwestwind on Nov 4, 2008 5:04:41 GMT
No hemd, the hotel got a note from the PPL guys and so they were being extra cautious !! By the way, the chaps playing there are my very good friends and we have a gentlemens agreement not to steal each others shows and we have maintained that for the past ten odd years.. We have a good code of conduct.
Its interesting to note that these PPL chaps only rear their heads during November, December, January, when there a lot of gigs happening.
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Post by shyamwestwind on Nov 11, 2008 17:36:11 GMT
Hello Everyone
I got a reply from PPL and its clarified that they are only concerned with recorded music and not live performances.
What I need to do is approach the Performing Rights Society here and get their clarification and licence if any. I have already talked to them and am awaiting their reply.
I was very happy to receive a reply from PPL , U.K. . Their Sector Manager Bridget Kincaid was gracious to reply to me advising me to approach PRS.
I'll keep you informed of developments.
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