skepticlawyer

When my husband and I first moved in together, we lived in a set of terrace houses. We’d lived there about two years when new tenants moved in two doors down. The new tenants were Columbian exchange students, and I don’t think they took their studies seriously. What they did take seriously was partying hard and long. Thus, we frequently had very loud music reverberating through the terrace house until 5am in the morning on weeknights. Initially, we didn’t want to be killjoys, and we kept in mind that we had both been involved in some crazy parties during our university years. But after the parties started happening with weekly frequency, we called the police a few times (particularly after the communal carpark was left in a really, really disgusting state a few times - I don’t want to describe it - you can imagine). However, I think the police had better things to do with their time.

Well now it seems that there might be a new option for those who play music too loudly at inappropriate times - the Copyright Police. Oh yes. This story from the UK (forwarded to me by the indefatigable Dave Bath) may be a sign of things to come:

The Performing Rights Society (PRS), which collects royalties for musicians in the UK, has accused Lancashire police of committing copyright infringement by playing music in police stations and to callers on hold without an appropriate license. In a writ submitted to the High Court, the PRS has called for an injunction and payment of damages.

The PRS contends that playing music that is audible to others constitutes a public performance, meaning that it can’t be done without a license. The Lancashire police stations play music in the background, at office parties, and in staff gyms, even though they have not purchased licenses that enable them to do so legally. PRS says that it has attempted to collect licensing fees from police all over the country, but Lancashire is one of 11 that have refused to pay up, which is why PRS decided to take legal action.

Oooh, I do love Lancastrians, they refuse to take shite from anyone (you can guess from this comment an approximation of my place of abode when living in the UK).

But it provides an answer for the next time that you have to listen to music played too loudly by your neighbours, children, parents or other nearby persons…perhaps the Copyright Police will be watching.

(Via Ars Technica)