What are the consequences of operating a business without an appropriate licence?
It is illegal to play protected sound recordings without an appropriate licence. PPCA operates an enforcement program, carrying out inspections and investigations into the un-authorised public performance, transmission and broadcasting of copyright protected sound recordings and music videos by businesses across Australia. In some circumstances, where, despite numerous attempts at licensing a business found to be using copyright protected sound recordings and/or music videos, that business continues to perform protected sound recordings in public without a licence from the appropriate copyright owner(s) or PPCA, PPCA can and does take legal action on behalf of its licensors for the infringement of copyright. PPCA has enjoyed a 100% success rate in legal proceedings against businesses using protected sound recordings without a licence to do so. The Federal Magistrates Court can rule that an unlicensed business must pay backfees, legal costs and damages if they are found to be illegally
