Lancashire nightclub owners ordered to pay £20,000 for illegally playing music
The owners of a Lancashire nightclub have agree to pay more than £20,000 in outstanding fees and costs after playing music illegally.
Jason and Rebecca McQuoid, who operate the Vogue Nightclub in Burnley and, before it closed, the Vogue Nightclub in Leigh, were arrested on 23 May after failing to attend committal proceedings at court for not holding a licence for playing recorded music, in a case brought by music licensing company PPL.
Proceedings were originally brought in September 2014 after recorded music was played at the two Vogue nightclubs without a licence, despite numerous efforts by PPL to resolve the issue with the McQuoids. An injunction was issued in PPL's favour in November 2014 to prevent the McQuoids continuing to play PPL's repertoire in public without a licence.
After their arrest, the McQuoids undertook that they would not breach the injunction and subsequently agreed to pay PPL licence fees of £7,893.98 and £12,411 legal costs. They also apologised for breaching the injunction made against them.
Having agreed financial terms, PPL decided not to pursue an application for the committal of Jason and Rebecca McQuoid.
Christine Geissmar, operations director of PPL, said that there is "an intrinsic value" that music adds to businesses, which the creators of the music should be fairly rewarded for.
"Those businesses that choose to play recorded music without a licence will face legal action and possibly hefty financial and other consequences as a result."
All business, such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels which play recorded music for staff or customers, are legally required to hold a PPL licence. After the deduction of PPL's running costs, all licence fee income is distributed to performer and record company members.
PRS for Music and PPL to create new public performance licensing business >>
Change the record - how to manage background music >>
Latest video from The Caterer
