A PUB has been banned from playing music until its proprietor gets the necessary licence.

Punters at the Whitehall Tavern, Whitehill Road, Gravesend, look set to be drinking in silence after a High Court judge ordered Judith Taylor to pull the plug.

Ms Taylor now faces the prospect of a heavy fine or even prison if she disobeys the order, and has already been told to pay legal costs of £1,525.

The pay up or shut up order was imposed on July 25 after the court heard how she was caught playing music on the premises despite not holding a Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) licence.

Judge Justice Blackburne was told by the counsel for PPL, Fiona Clark, one of their inspectors visited the premises on July 5 last year.

The inspector heard tracks being played which included All Night Long by Lionel Richie, So Many Times by Gadso, I See Girls by Studio B and Groovejet by Spiller.

Ms Clark said solicitors sent letters to the premises warning Ms Taylor the playing of sound recordings in public without a licence was a breach of copyright. However, she failed to get a licence.

A PPL spokesman said: "Whenever you play a sound recording in public, there are two separate licence fees to be paid.

"PPL distributes its licence fees to record companies, recording artists and musicians.

"The Performing Rights Society collects a separate licence fee which they distribute to composers and music publishers.

"A licence is required for any event except a family or domestic gathering, such as a wedding reception or birthday party.

"PPL sometimes waives fees for charity events."

Music licences can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, depending on the size of the venue and the audiences involved.

SOUND OF SILENCE

SONGS the Whitehall Tavern won't be playing:

  • Bjork - It's Oh So Quiet
  • Abba - Thank You For The Music
  • The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
  • Black Eyed Peas - Shut Up
  • George Michael - Too Funky
  • Rhianna - Don't Stop The Music
  • Simon & Garfunkel - Sound Of Silence
  • Junior Senior - D-D-Don't Stop the Beat
  • Apollo 440 - Stop The Rock
  • The Christmas Carol - Silent Night