andMr. Davern asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the activities of an English Performing Rights Society who among other things are requesting payment of a fee from the owners of the licensed premises where television sets are installed for the entertainment of the customers; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Performing Rights Society Fees.
28.
I am aware of the activities of the Performing Rights Society Limited, which has its headquarters in London. I understand that the majority of composers of musical works avail themselves of the advantages of membership of this organisation to exercise the rights given to them by copyrights law. These include the right to restrict the performance of their works in public.
Does that mean that a publican who has a television set on his premises is liable to some duty to the Performing Rights Society Limited?
It has been held in a court in another country that the use of a wireless, if in public, is itself a performance. Therefore, a person who has copyright over things performed on the radio, if in public, would have a claim against the publican.
And the same applies to television sets, I presume.