Landlord banned from playing music in his Telford pub
A landlord from Telford was this afternoon banned from playing music in his pub after inspectors heard tunes including Under The Sun by Cheryl being played without a licence.
London's High Court heard that Ashley Kibby played music at the Three Furnaces in Bridgnorth Road, Madeley, without a licence from music licensing company Phonographic Performance Ltd.
Mr Justice Henderson, one of the country's top judges, also slapped a £1,566 legal costs order on Mr Kibby who was not in court and not represented.
The music ban also extends to any other premises Mr Kibby runs until the licence is brought up to date. Failure to obey the order and turn any premises Mr Kibby runs into a music-free zones until all licence fees are up to date would be regarded as contempt of court and a prison sentence could follow, the court heard.
Mr Kibby was not available for comment this afternoon.
The judge was told a PPL inspector visited the premises on January 26 and heard music being played when no licence was in force.
The inspector heard tracks including Under The Sun, Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia and John Martin and Lost Your Love by Redlight.
PPL's counsel Fiona Clark told the court that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing Mr Kibby of the nature and extent of PPL's repertoire and the fact that the playing in public of sound recordings without PPL's licence or permission constitutes infringement of its copyright.
However, she said there was no response.
Today's ban applies to all forms of mechanically recorded music in PPL's repertoire.
PPL spokeswoman Clare Goldie said: "PPL is the UK-based music licensing company which licenses recorded music for broadcast, online and public performance use.
"Established in 1934, PPL carries out this role on behalf of thousands of record company and performer members."
