A St Albans landlord has been banned from playing music after its owner was caught playing songs without a licence.

Glynn O’Shea was caught playing recorded copyrighted tracks at the White Lion pub in Sopwell Lane without a Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) licence.

The case went before one of the country’s top judges, Mr Justice Peter Smith, and he banned O’Shea – who was not in court and not represented - from playing recorded music not just at the White Lion but at any premises he runs until he brings his licence up to date.

He also ordered him to pay £1,913 in legal costs run up by PPL in taking the matter to court.

Failure to obey the order and turn any premises they run into a music-free zone until all licence fees are brought up to date would be regarded as contempt of court, the penalties for which can be fines of up to £10,000 and up to six months prison for individuals responsible.

The pay-up or shut-up order was imposed after the judge heard that a PPL inspector heard music being played on the premises, when O’Shea did not hold a PPL licence.

The inspector heard tracks including "Cinnamon Girl” and “Nothing Ever Happens” during his visit on 8 May.

Jamie Muir-Wood, counsel for PPL, had told the judge that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing O’Shea 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, and inviting him to acquire a licence.

The ban applies to all forms of mechanically recorded music such as records, tapes and CDs in PPL's repertoire.

Now, as a result pubs, clubs, commercial premises and anywhere in the St Albans area where music is played publicly have received a sharp warning that if their music licences aren’t current it could cost them a packet and they could end up in the High Court.

Christine Geissmar, operations director, PPL said: “There is an intrinsic value that recorded music adds to businesses, and this judgement acknowledges that the performers of the music and record companies should be fairly rewarded.

“Businesses that choose to play recorded music without a licence may face legal action and financial and other consequences as a result.

"Legal action is only ever sought as a last resort where a business continues to play music following repeated attempts from PPL to get the correct licensing in place.

“PPL issues licences to hundreds of thousands of businesses and organisations across the UK when they play recorded music to their staff or customers.

"Licensees include bars, nightclubs, shops, hotels, offices, factories, gyms, schools, universities and public sector organisations up and down the country.

“After the deduction of PPL’s running costs, all licence fee income is distributed to PPL’s record company and performer members.

"The majority are small businesses, all of whom are legally entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their recordings and performances. PPL does not retain a profit for its services.”

  • The pub was taken over by Andrew Meredith in July of this year.