How to Start & Run a B&B BandBED2eBook-1 | Page 37

settlement. The provision of TVs and radios in hotel bedrooms is a clear benefit to
hotels and their guests, and it's good news that our members will now receive royalties
for the use of their work.'
Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: "It is good news
that the hospitality industry will now have certainty about licences from PRS for Music
for music in hotel bedrooms. This has been a very long standing dispute, but I am
pleased it has been settled at last."
For B&Bs and Guest Houses, as for hotels, the bad news is that this agreement brings to
an end the dispute (and the previous stance adopted by many B&Bs of deferring
payment whilst the legal dispute carried on), and acknowledges that the new legal
reality (after an EU change in definition) means that "PRS for Music" are legally entitled
to require B&Bs and Guest Houses with TVs or radios in guest rooms to pay a licence.
Licences for music in guest bedrooms start from £44 plus VAT per year, for up to 15
bedrooms (more details are on the PRS website at www.prsformusic.com).
The good news is that the settlement means that those who pay from 2009 onwards will
NOT now be liable to pay six years back claims to 2003, as PRS had been pushing for.
The authors share the concerns of the Bed & Breakfast Association that B&B and Guest
House owners have reported "aggressive" and "threatening" attitudes in the PRS call
centre staff who are calling them to demand payment. We are also concerned that PRS
are trying to double charge: the 'minimum' charge of some £44 covers up to 15 rooms
and "corridors and foyers" - but if the B&B also has a radio or TV in its lounge or
breakfast room, PRS seem to be demanding a much higher licence fee on the basis of
music being played in a "public" room - and yet for B&Bs and Guest Houses (unlike
say, large hotels), there is no public access and the guests whose music use is covered
by the licence 'upstairs' as it were, are the same guests listening to the same music
'downstairs'.
We also believe there should be a reduced "entry level" licence for small B&Bs, who
currently have to pay the same as a 15 bedroom hotel. The Bed & Breakfast
Association will, on behalf of its members, be monitoring the legal situation in case of
future opportunities for challenge, as we are disappointed that the hospitality industry
has not been able to win the legal argument about the use of TVs and radios in guest
bedrooms.
The PRS for Music complaints procedure
If you have a complaint about your treatment by PRS for Music, write to: Customer
Services, PRS for Music, Elwes House, 19 Church Walk, Peterborough, Cambs PE1 2UZ.
If you are not satisfied with this response, you should write to the Managing Director
(at the same address) stating your reasons.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of our complaints procedure, or if you feel
your complaint has not been handled correctly, you may refer your complaint to the