Advokat For The Performing Right Society Files Injunction For Copyright Infringement Against UK Police - Law - National, State, Local

The advokat for the Performing Right Society has filed asking for an injunction against the police in the UK, citing copyright infringement. The accused in this case is the Lancashire Police Department. In an unusual move, the advokat for the Performing Right Society, also called the PRS, has filed a writ in court asking the judge to issue an injunction against the department. The position of the Society and their advokat is that the police are violating copyright laws when they play music in the stations and headquarters without having a valid license to do so. PRS is the society responsible for collecting royalties that are owed to music artists and songwriters in the country, and the advokat for the society has submitted the writ asking for an injunction to the High Court, asking that the Chief Constable of Lancashire, Steve Finnigan, cease and desist these activities and pay an amount in damages to PRS for the infringement of copyrights concerning the music. Police off icers and constables from all over the UK have reported to the society that music is played in many different situations, including at the police stations, in the staff gyms, during parties at the office, played to callers who are put on hold, in training videos, and during conferences and presentations. The position taken by the PRS and their advokat is that music which is played loud enough for others to hear should be considered a public performance, and as such such require a license and the payment of royalties for the music being performed. The Lancashire Police Department, as well as several other police forces, have refused to pay for a license or to obtain one, which puts them in violation of copyright laws according to the PRS. This is not the first time that the society has brought an action concerning copyright infringement and music playing. Last year, the advokat for the society filed suit against the car repair business Kwik Fit. In that case the society filed for an injunction and damages because mechanics who worked for the company frequently played their radios loudly, so that customers and people walking by could hear the music. This could be a big warning for anyone who plays their music too loud, and allows others to overhear it. Apparently PRS does not believe that music on the radio should be heard by the masses unless they profit from it.

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