ACS

7 June 2010

Retailers will finally be able to claim their music licensing refunds over the next couple of days after PPL confirmed that they will be sending out Claim Forms and guidance notes to all existing licensees today. Former licensees should be sent Claim Forms within the next couple of weeks.

The Copyright Tribunal originally ruled in favour of shops and other interested parties in October 2009 over PPL, who introduced excessive licensing charges in 2005. However, PPL appealed this decision and the case was sent to the High Court.

The Hon Mr Justice Arnold once again ruled in favour of the consortium and rejected all points raised by PPL. As a result, PPL have to refund all retailers who have overpaid for their license since 2005.

Retailers will benefit from up to £20million in overpaid fees, as well as savings of around £5million per year for the sector. 

Guidance on how to make a claim written by PPL is available in the Music Licensing area of the Advice Section here: http://www.acs.org.uk/en/Advice/advice_guides/music-licensing/