PUBS, clubs and other venues have been served a sharp warning by the High Court that if their music licences aren’t in order they’re the ones who will be facing the music.

The warning comes in the form of a music ban slapped on a Widnes bar by one of the country’s top judges along with a legal bill of nearly £2,000 and a threat of prison if the ban is not obeyed.

Mr Justice Birss, who heard the case in London, imposed the sounds of silence on William McDonald who trades as The Lounge on Victoria Road after he was told that McDonald was caught playing copyrighted music without a licence.

The judge also ordered McDonald, who was not in court and not represented, to pay £1,995 in legal costs by August 5.

The ban also extends to any other premises he runs until he brings his licence up to date. And if he does not comply he could end up behind bars.

Failure to obey the order and turn any premises he runs 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.

The judge was told that McDonald was caught after a phonographic performance limited (PPL) inspector visited the premises on October 23 last year and heard music being played when no licence was in force.

The inspector heard tracks including "Cheerleader" by OMI, "How Deep Is Your Love?" by Calvin Harris & Disciples and "Stronger" by Clean Bandit.

PPL's counsel Maxwell Keay said that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing McDonald 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.

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

Christine Geissmar, PPL operations director, said: “There is an intrinsic value that recorded music adds to businesses and this judgement acknowledges that the performers of the music and record companies should be fairly rewarded.

“Businesses that choose to play recorded music without a licence may face legal action and financial and other consequences as a result. Legal action is only ever sought as a last resort where a business continues to play music following repeated attempts from PPL to get the correct licensing in place.

“PPL issues licences to hundreds of thousands of businesses and organisations across the UK when they play recorded music to their staff or customers. Licensees include bars, nightclubs, shops, hotels, offices, factories, gyms, schools, universities and public sector organisations up and down the country.

“After the deduction of PPL’s running costs, all licence fee income is distributed to PPL’s record company and performer members.

“The majority are small businesses, all of whom are legally entitled to be fairly paid for the use of their recordings and performances. PPL does not retain a profit for its services.”