A CLUB has been banned from playing music after being caught using copyrighted songs without the correct licenses.

Vogue Bar & Club on Spinning Jenny Way in Leigh, along with other premises run by the proprietor, Martin Chapman, Jason McQuoid and Rebecca McQuoid, must remain music free zones until the licences are brought up to date.

Mr Justice Norris imposed the order after hearing that the proprietors were caught playing music there without a licence.

Chapman and the McQuoids have also been hit with a legal costs bill for £1,855 as a result of the High Court action.

The ban was imposed after the judge was told that an inspector from music royalties collectors Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL ) went to the pub on May 31 and heard recorded copyrighted music being played there when there was no current licence in force from PPL.

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

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.

Ben Longstaff, counsel for PPL, had told the judge that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing the owners 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.

Nazneen Nawaz, spokesperson for PPL, said: “PPL is the music licensing company which, on behalf of thousands of record company and performer members, licenses recorded music for broadcast, online and public performance use.

“Our 90,000 members include major record labels and independents as well as globally successful performers and session musicians, ranging from orchestral players to percussionists and singers.

“The majority are small businesses, all of whom are legally entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their recordings and performances.

“After the deduction of PPL’s running costs, all licence fee income is distributed to members. PPL does not retain a profit for its services.”