8 August 2007
Kent restaurant owner in court for not having a PRS music licence
The Performing Right Society obtained a judgment against a Kent restaurant owner for not having a PRS music licence since 2005. He ignored a Court Order which included an injunction stopping him from playing copyright music without a PRS licence.
Mr Hakim Mallem, of La Notte restaurant, Orpington, Kent, surrendered to the High Court on 30 July where he was held in a cell for several hours, following his failure to appear at earlier committal hearings which resulted from his ignoring the Court Order..
Mr Justice David Richards ordered that Mr Mallem surrender his passport, not leave the country pending the next Hearing in October and serve any evidence he has in his defence before the end of August.
PRS has taken action against Mr Mallem which has resulted in this situation following repeated attempts over several years to persuade Mr Mallem to buy a music licence.
If copyright music is being played in public - in restaurants, cafes or any other business - clearance is needed to do so from the owners of that music. PRS represents the owners and enables access to the music required by businesses in the most efficient way.
PRS Public Performance Sales Managing Director Keith Gilbert said: ‘We have taken this action after repeated attempts to advise Mr Mallem that he is required by law to buy a music licence. His refusal is unfair to all those restaurant owners who comply with the law and buy their licence each year.
‘This sad case demonstrates that ignoring a legal requirement gets you nowhere and that the Courts take seriously those who flout their rules and procedures. Mr Mallem spent time in a cell for it.’
The cost of playing music in business is less than most people think; from as little as 20p a day. This money is paid back to the people who have created the music.
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CONTACT: press office 020 7306 4777
press@mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
PRS, The Performing Right Society, creating a future for music. As a not-for-profit membership society, PRS ensures composers, songwriters and music publishers are paid royalties when their music is used. Music is everywhere, every day: live performance, TV and radio, CDs, DVDs, downloads, streams and everything in between. Royalties create a future for music by supporting creators while they continue to write. www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk