22 Mar 2005
FIA challenges PRS over tariffs
The FIA and the Performing Right Society (PRS) have entered into a dialogue to investigate the PRS rates levied at the health and fitness industry, which, in the opinion of the FIA, are too high. The FIA is calling on all its members to fill in questionnaires and provide information PRS tariff payments, to help the it put together a strong case for the reduction of fees.
The FIA and PRS are working together to investigate the fairness of the tariffs, with the aim of reaching a compromise. Many of the leading health and fitness club chains are supporting the dialogue, which is led by Harm Tegelaars, vic chair of the FIA, Innes Kerr, FIA member services director, Mike Balfour, CEO of Fitness First and top barrister Richard Boulton.
The PRS collects and distribute music royalties on behalf of its members for the public performance and broadcast of musical works.
The FIA believes that the charge levied for exercise to music classes is fundamentally unfair and out of line with comparisons such as discotheques or nightclubs. It is also keen to start a dialogue with Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) on similar matters.
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