Ex-pub boss is given ban on playing music

The former boss of a Willenhall pub has been banned from playing music at any premises he runs – after putting on songs without a licence.

Joe Martin was caught playing copyrighted tracks at the Red Lion in Wolverhampton Road including 'Superwoman,' 'Broken' and 'Us Against The World.'

Inspectors from Phonographic Performance Ltd visited the premises last October where music was heard despite no licence being in place.

The case against the former general manager of the pub was taken to London's High Court yesterday and faces a £1,725 legal bill to be paid within 14 days.

Martin, who did not appear at the court, was banned from playing recorded music at any premises he runs in future until the licence is brought up to date.

The ruling came from High Court judge Mr Justice Norris and Martin faces a heavy fine or prison if he disobeys the order.

It comes weeks after Martin and ex-landlord of the Red Lion pub Lee Bywater were hit with a bill of more than £4,190 between them for showing a football game illegally through an Albanian service.

Wolverhampton Magistrates Court heard how the Red Lion had breached copyright law by showing a game between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United on March 19. They were prosecuted separately through Media Protection Services Ltd.

The music ban comes after the inspection on October 7 last year.

Ben Longstaff, counsel for PPL, said that solicitors had sent letters to the premises informing Martin that playing sound recordings without a licence is an infringement of its copyright, and invited him to acquire a licence.