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Music licensing in the UK used to be a minefield of different licences and permits. Fortunately, the whole system has been streamlined. Contact us at Blue Trinity for specialist legal advice on the matter. In the meantime, here are the five things you could keep in mind when considering music licensing.

PPL PRS

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) and the Performing Right Society (PRS) are industry bodies who collect royalties on behalf of recording artists and record companies. No matter whether it is played from the internet, a CD, or your smartphone, any business that plays recorded music on their premises needs to pay for a licence. The cost of the licence will vary according to the type of business, and the size of the premises.

Licensing for live events

In 2012, the Live Music Act 2012 was introduced. One of the effects of the LMA is that not all live music events require a licence anymore. In cases where the event is taking place at a venue that already holds an alcohol licence, has an audience of fewer than 500 people, and takes place between 8 AM and 11 PM, an event licence isn’t normally required.

Since the act was introduced, it has been much easier for venues to put on live music events. However, there are a number of rules and regulations in the act which need to be observed. Any venue found to be in contravention of these is liable to be shut down or fined.

Some places are exempt

There are some locations that have a specific exemption in the law regarding live music events. These places are allowed to play music and host audiences who wish to listen to music being performed live. For example, places of worship are not restricted in their ability to incorporate music into their worship. Similarly, village halls, city halls, and some other public buildings have exemptions.

Schools and hospitals are also free from the licensing requirements, as are the premises of local authority buildings. Another group that is exempted includes anywhere where music is incidental to the activities that occur there, provided those events aren’t classified as regular entertainment in their own right.

Temporary licences

If someone wishes to host a licensed event on premises that are unlicensed, they will need to apply for a temporary license (TEN). A temporary licence will also be required if the audience is going to number more than 500. Also, note that you still need to apply for the PRS PPL.

Temporary licences aren’t just used for music, they can be applied to any licensable activity. This includes the selling and serving of alcohol, as well as providing other types of entertainment and dancing. You need only one TEN for every event, but make sure that it covers everything that you will need a licence for.

Recorded music licencing

Whether it’s a nightclub or an office, any business that wishes to play recorded and copyrighted music will need to obtain the correct licence to do so.

Music licensing in the UK has gotten simpler over the years. The current legislation generally does a good job of balancing the rights of artists with a fair and open approach to music.

With so many exciting careers available to people, it can be extremely hard to narrow down your options. Finding that one career that you feel passionate and excited about can be a long process of trying different things first, or it may be something that you’ve dreamed about for years.

If becoming a sports agent is your version of a dream career, then there’s no doubt you understand just how competitive it is. It’s only natural to ask yourself whether you have what it takes to be successful in the industry. Well, before you put all your cards in, here are some considerations you can mull over which will help you figure out if you’re cut out for the career.

Understand the Job

Before you go all in and set your sights on the career path, it’s important that you understand what a sports agent does. Yes, they work with professional athletes, but there is more to it than just that. It will be up to you to negotiate contracts and terms for your client – the athlete. Your goal will always be to look out for the athlete’s best interest.

You’ll be negotiating with endorsers, sponsors, and sports teams. You’ll need to know the ins and outs of contracts, which is why some sports managers find it helpful to have a law degree. While these degrees aren’t always necessary, they can give you the upper hand and if you don’t have one you should partner with a specialist law firm. Why not contact us for guidance as to the stipulations and qualifications that a sports agent need?

The Job Can Be High Stress

It’s also important to note that the job can be very fast-paced and high-stress. Contracts, negotiations, and issues don’t always occur during the regular business hours, so don’t expect this job to be a typical Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm type of gig. Your client could contact you at any time with an issue, as could the sports team, sponsor, etc. You need to be able to jump into action whenever needed.

Have Excellent Selling Skills

Even though you may not think of yourself as a sales person when you are a sports agent, there is a big element of sales involved. Rather than selling a product, you are selling the services of the athlete, if you will. You need to promote that athlete, make their skills well-known, and prove to people why they need your athlete and why they are worth the big bucks.

Work Your Communication and Problem-Solving Skills

Communication and problem-solving skills aren’t something that you can always learn, instead they tend to be skills and traits you already possess. If you’re the type that can stay cool under pressure, figure out a plan of action, and have superior written and verbal communication skills, then you are likely going to be much more successful in the job.

Following your dream is something that can not only bring you job success, it can provide you with a real sense of achievement.

In the UK, it may be within the rights of an on-duty police officer to stop and search any individual suspected of carrying illegal drugs, weapons of any kind, stolen goods or any other object that can be used or is often used to commit crimes. However, under normal circumstances, the officer might only do that if he/she has reasonable grounds to suspect any of that. Under special circumstances and on getting the approval from a senior ranking officer, the police have the right to stop and search an individual even without reasonable grounds. Such special circumstances may include suspicion for the following:

• Probability of exceptional violence
• Probability and/or history of using weapons
• Being in an area that warrants suspicions of criminal activity

It is imperative to know how one should handle such a situation and these five tips provide some general information, but you should contact a lawyer to get advice on how to handle such a situation.

Keep Calm

It is common to get agitated when you are told to stop, and especially so when you are searched as well. Nonetheless, the very first step to handling a stop and search is to stay calm under all circumstances. Aggression and arrogance could worsen the situation and your case in the future.

Get the Names and Badge Numbers

If an officer chooses to stop and search you, ask for and acquire the associated officers’ names and badge numbers. Also, after the stop and search ask the officer in charge for a receipt for the same.

Do you Comment After Being Cautioned?

If you are cautioned, it is often the safest approach not to make any comments after caution as what you say may later be used as evidence against you.

Do you Sign the Officer’s Notepad?

If you are asked to sign the notepad of an officer during the stop and search, you should note that it could be used as evidence in court, should it get to that point. Therefore, the safest approach is not to sign.

Be Aware that Everything is Probably Being Recorded Via Bodycam

It isn’t uncommon for police officers to record everything with a bodycam to present as evidence during a court proceeding, if the need to do so arises. Any action you take on camera will likely affect the outcome of the case, so keep it as formal, lawful and polite as possible. If you are being wronged, you could consider recording that on your own camera, but you should not obstruct the officers.

Whether someone was wrongly stopped and searched, or they got into trouble due to their own mistakes, you need legal advice to figure out the best possible course of action. In the meanwhile, please note that this article does not provide legal advice and should not be relied on as information on behalf of Blue Trinity. If you require legal advice, please contact Blue Trinity on t:020 3674 6874. This article contains general information already in the public domain and Blue Trinity accept no responsibility for its accuracy or relevance.

It isn’t uncommon for a hobby to take over the majority of someone’s time and naturally, this can end up affecting marital life. Video games are not just meant for kids these days because online and offline games across consoles and PCs cater to adult audiences as well. As a result of this, couples have often been found to argue over one of the partners spending too much time playing video games. However, gaming does not often make it onto the list of causes cited for marital breakdowns… that is until just recently.

Over 200 Couples Filed for Divorce Over Online Games in 2018

Up until September, 2018, more than 200 couples across the UK have cited Fortnite and other online games as the prime cause of their marital breakdown. In most of these cases, the cause has been defined as an addiction to the concerned games that has reached a point where the relationship between a husband and his wife is affected too severely to remain married. It is to be noted that the actual number could be, and probably is, far greater, as this data was brought to light by just one law firm by the name of Divorce Online.

5% of the Total Divorce Proceedings?

In accordance with the information supplied by the aforementioned firm, the total number of couples who cited online gaming as a cause for wanting to get a divorce doesn’t quite constitute a huge percentage of the total divorce proceedings yet, with the figures standing at just 5%. Nevertheless, it is to be noted that such causes were not cited nearly as frequently as they were before 2018.

The New Addiction

While it does not qualify as a physical addiction that’s as dangerous or as harmful as drug or alcohol abuse, there is little doubt in the fact that video games can be psychologically addictive. In combination with that, popular online games like PUBG, Elder Scrolls Online and Fortnite also bring human competitiveness to the plate, making them the perfect place to lose track of time and apparently, your significant other! The World Health Organization (WHO) declared excessive online gaming habits and the inability to control them voluntarily as a “gaming disorder” back in June and this report seems to further validate the point that this can become a serious enough issue in people’s personal lives.

There are over 40 million Fortnite players that log in every day from all sections of the planet and that’s just one of the many addictive online games available today. Considering these facts, it would be safe to say that instances of online video games being cited as a cause for divorce will only grow in the coming years as more and more people start getting involved in video games, especially since addictive multiplayer games are not just limited to consoles and PCs anymore, but can easily be played from any smartphone as well.

Blue Trinity Legal offer specialist family law advice.

Blue Trinity are proud to announce that we have passed our Lexcel assessment. Passing this assessment demonstrates our commitment to outstanding service, and the importance we place upon client satisfaction.

What is Lexcel?

The Lexcel assessment is designed by the Law Society to determine the quality of service provided by law firms, solicitors, and legal departments in the UK. The Lexcel assessment is not mandatory, but there are a number of reasons that legal practitioners choose to undertake the assessment.

How Does Lexcel help Solicitors and Law Firms?

In meeting the standards set out by the assessment, legal departments and law firms will develop operational procedures and practices that enable them to provide their clients with a top-rated service. Client satisfaction is a very important metric for solicitors and law firms, especially given how competitive these professions often are. In aiming for the standards set out by the Lexcel assessment, legal professionals will develop policies and procedures that enable them to achieve a consistently high level of service and satisfaction across their practice, department, or organisation.

As well as assisting law firms in achieving excellent client satisfaction rates, Lexcel also serves as an effective risk management tool. In meeting the standards required to pass the Lexcel assessment, law firms will consider the main causes for claims to be filed against solicitors and will therefore reduce the likelihood of facing those claims in the future. A high client satisfaction rate means much less risk of facing complaints from clients. Having strong and consistent procedures in place mitigates the risk of other legal professionals taking issue with your methods.

How Does Lexcel Benefit Our Clients?

Our Lexcel accreditation means that our clients can come to us with confidence, knowing that we have met a particular standard of practice and have therefore earned a seal of approval from the Law Society. Naturally, client satisfaction is great for us, but it is even better news for our clients.

In achieving this standard, we have had to ensure smooth and efficient operating procedures, giving our clients confidence that the time and money they invest in our services is not wasted. An overall improved working atmosphere brings as much benefit to our clients as it does to us.

When individual solicitors, or entire law firms, make mistakes, clients often have grounds for complaints, and sometimes compensation. A solicitor who has passed the Lexcel assessment is much less likely to make mistakes because they have demonstrated working practices that make it more difficult to make a mistake.

Our Assessment

Blue Trinity are proud to have passed the Lexcel assessment with flying colours. In summarising our assessment, the assessor commented that :

“[Blue Trinity] continues to demonstrate excellent standards in running its files, serving its clients and managing its staff.”

They also noted that they did not find a single case of non-compliance, something the assessor described as :

“an uncommon outcome”.

Our Lexcel assessment is objective proof of our commitment to a high level of service. We are proud to have not only passed the assessment, but to have drawn specific praise for the way that we handle our clients and their needs.

 

The announcement of the first season of “The Big Narstie Show” was met with enthusiasm mixed with some sceptical responses, as people were not sure what to expect. The show quickly proved to be a smashing hit however, and over the course of just six episodes managed to capture a huge audience and delivered numerous hilarious moments – as well as some thought-provoking ones. The main sentiment among fans after the first season was over was that they were hungry for more, and it looks like that’s exactly what they’re going to get.  As we negotiated the co-production deal for the show, as well as the main talent Big Narstie and the co-producer Dice Productions Entertainment, we’re certainly excited.

Great Moments

The first season of the show already delivered some amazing, hilarious moments that went down as some of the most entertaining bits of television for the year. It makes full sense to expect “The Big Narstie Show” to continue in the same style in season 2, and the producers are likely going to ramp up the humour for the next edition if the current situation is to be of any indication. Some of the show’s fans have already taken to discuss what they’d like to see in the next round of episodes, and there is no shortage of ideas and suggestions from the fan scene.

More Exciting Guests

One of the most notable things about “The Big Narstie Show” was the huge variety of interesting guests that were brought onto the scene. Ed Sheeran and David Schwimmer immediately jump out as some of the more notable names from the guest list, and we even saw YouTube celebrity KSI going up against Jonathan Ross in a rap battle. The last one is still circulating all over the Internet, and while many pointed out that KSI was a bit outmatched, he still seemed to manage to have a good time during the event. The star is now going to take on fellow YouTube celebrity Logan Paul in a PPV boxing match that has been a hot topic in recent days.

Expanding Beyond the Current Scene

Could we see the format of the show changing to match its growing popularity? The show managed to come out quite ahead of the competition in its time slot, and it’s clear that it’s a winner on the screen right now. It makes sense that the producers might want to explore some new grounds, but some fans seem hopeful that they’re going to take things more slowly and cautiously instead of rushing to turn everything around. It wouldn’t be the first time a show has gone under due to the impatience of those behind it, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here. If anything, the producers of “The Big Narstie Show” are likely going to take a more cautious approach to avoid alienating their current audience.

With all that in mind, fans should brace themselves for an amazing season 2 that will break new grounds and prove that this is a production worth keeping around for many more seasons. It’s hard to imagine how it might look a couple of seasons from now, but it’s definitely going to be exciting to follow the evolution.

An upcoming major fight is about to turn the world of boxing on its head, and many are currently focused on the big event for a variety of reasons. Logan Paul and KSI are going to come up against each other on August 25 in an event that will be broadcast exclusively on YouTube, shaking up the scene in a number of ways, some of which are likely going to have a long-lasting impact.

Who Are Logan Paul and KSI?

The first thing that jumps out about this fight is that neither Logan Paul nor KSI are known for their involvement in boxing – in fact, both of them are quite far from being professional athletes in the first place. Each of them rose to fame through their YouTube channels and eventually developed their own celebrity personalities around that. KSI was even recently featured on “The Big Narstie Show”, and many of his fans expect to see even more of him in high-ranking celebrity circles not too long from now.

Both of them have controversial personalities and have been involved in various public incidents in the past, making this fight an even more charged one – there seems to be a great desire among the audience to see Logan Paul and KSI hurting each other.

Changing the Scene

The fact that a fight between two nobodies (on the boxing scene at least) is quickly gearing up to be one of the most hyped-up events in professional fighting is big enough on its own. But some organisations have been paying attention to how this is unfolding with a worried eye, since this is also the second ever major boxing event that will be broadcast on YouTube PPV exclusively. If this is successful – and all signs are pointing to that right now – it could have some major implications for how PPV boxing is going to look not too long from now.

The Future of PPV Boxing

It’s not unlikely that broadcasting is going to break away from the major companies that dominate the scene right now, while on the other hand, it’s clear that there is a lot of interest in fights between people of relatively low skill. Some just want to see their favourite personalities bash each other, and it should be no surprise that something like this would gain a lot of attention, judging by the success of shows like “Celebrity Deathmatch” in the past. With the advances in streaming technology and the easy access that pretty much anyone has to the streams that interest them, we could see a very different-looking professional boxing scene not too long from now.

Does this have any negative implications for the relevance of the true pros? Hardly – there’s always an audience for everything, and it’s arguable if there is even a significant overlap between people who enjoy professional boxing and those who want to see the Logan Paul vs KSI fight. One thing is certain though – there is an undeveloped niche there that’s just waiting for someone to pay more attention to it, and it looks like this is already happening.

Blue Trinity is a full-service law firm serving clients across London. Blue Trinity has three offices. One of our offices is in Canary Wharf. Our second office is in Wood Green. And Blue Trinity is proud to offer its service to north London via our Enfield office.

Our Enfield branch is Lexcel accredited. This law office also carries criminal defence, mental health law and lawyers for business law society accreditations. Blue Trinity occupies an entire multi-story office building of 12 Southbury Road, providing legal and management services to the local community.

General Litigation

Whether you are suing someone or are being sued, you need legal advice, and Blue Trinity is here to help. Our Enfield office solicitors help their clients in litigation ranging from contract disputes to property transactions, civil lawsuits to family disputes. Blue Trinity has an entire department dedicated to employment law. We offer mediation services in addition to litigation.

Commercial Law

Blue Trinity’s Commercial Department provides the entire range of legal services businesses need. Blue Trinity understands that regulation is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes to adhere to. We provide advice and guidance on complying with the confusing array of regulations your business is expected to follow. Blue Trinity is well-known for its debt recovery services. Don’t let your business suffer a cash crunch because your customers are slow to pay.

Criminal Defence

Whether you have been in a minor road traffic accident, or something much more serious, Blue Trinity’s criminal defence team can help. We are passionate about defending our clients, leave no stone unturned, and provide advice through every step of the process. Our solicitors have years of experience in this area of law and we are sure to meet your expectations. You can also contact us in an emergency.

Mental Health Law

Mental health is a challenging issue for all involved. It affects the afflicted individual, their families, their caregivers, and everyone else around them. Blue Trinity has cultivated a unique expertise in mental health law. We are able to negotiate on behalf of our clients so that they can spend more time with their loved ones in a variety of situations. We visit our clients regularly while they’re detained under the Mental Health Act and while they’re in the hospital.

Blue Trinity was given a contract by the Legal Aid Authority in this area. We are able to represent clients in front of First Tier Tribunals and assist our clients at the Hospital Manager’s Meeting. We provide guidance to ease patient transfers, assist them in receiving community leave, and help them extend their community leave. We help clients receive the best possible after-care. Blue Trinity also represents those in Supervised Community
Treatment.

We can represent clients in County Court proceedings when they are dealing with Nearest Relative displacement applications. We help our clients pursue NHS Trust Complaints and Judicial Review Cases all the way to the High Court.

We take a wide variety of cases. We counsel both landlords and tenants. Blue Trinity specifically takes cases regarding internet and communications law, whether you’re in a patent dispute or drafting licensing agreements.
If your business has been notified of a potential claim against it or you need to file a lawsuit against someone, contact Blue Trinity to guide you through the process.

Come and See Us

Blue Trinity is conveniently located directly opposite Enfield Town station. We have ample parking situated directly behind our multi-story office. Our legal experts are waiting to help you with all your legal needs.

After a court battle lasting more than a year, Spotify agreed to pay $122 million USD, £84 million GBP, to songwriters who won their case against the streaming music site that was accused of underpaying royalties. The original suit was taken to court in what became a class action lawsuit initiated by musician David Lowery and songwriter Melissa Ferrick. The original offer of settlement was made in May of last year (2017) but not agreed until late May of this year (2018). Unfortunately, this settlement is just the beginning of the woes Spotify faces.

A Quick Breakdown of the ‘Deal’

According to sources at The Hollywood Reporter, Spotify will pay £43.5 million cash settlements and the remainder of the £84 million will be credited towards existing royalties. Although the streaming media giant refused to speak with the press or offer any comments whatsoever, that didn’t stop speculation over whether or not Spotify can survive the latest $1.6 billion suit brought to the courts by Wixen, a United States publishing company.

The Substance of This Latest Lawsuit

In this latest lawsuit, Wixen claims that Spotify failed to obtain the proper and legal licensing to stream music written by such greats as the late Tom Petty, The Doors and Neil Young. Having no license to play their music and in so doing not paying royalties to the publishing house, Spotify now is facing a sum of $1.6 billion USD if charges can be substantiated. Licenses to reproduce or play music is compulsory in the United States, as it is in the UK, and failure to obtain that licensing can result in huge fines, as these lawsuits make evident.

The Allegations Continue to Grow

Not only did Wixen allege that Spotify failed to get the legally required licensing, but also added to the suit that licensing work had been outsourced to the Harry Fox Agency, a royalty services provider. The suit alleges that the agency was not well-equipped to “obtain all the necessary…licenses.” Exactly what this means and how it affects the lawsuit is yet unclear, but the Harry Fox Agency apparently takes issue with the way in which licensing was obtained and will further clarify their objections when they get their day in court.

Questions Arise as to the Manner of Listing Shares

Being listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) with a current valuation of what amounts to $29.5 billion USD, the way in which it is listed is also alleged to be somewhat out of the ordinary. Instead of pursuing the usual channels for public listing, Spotify chose the direct listing route. This means that shares were sold directly to interested investors as opposed to being listed publicly on the exchange. While not totally out of the ordinary, there is some amount of controversy on why the streaming media company opted for this manner of selling shares.

With so much attention being given to the pirating of copyrighted music over the past few decades, this is big news in the music industry. Meanwhile, Spotify shares struggle on the exchange and even though the valuation for the company is high, its future may be in question if another suit is agreed.

Boxing at a professional level is not for the faint of heart. It takes years of dedication to reach the peak of your potential and there is no knowing whether this will be good enough to become a British or Commonwealth champion, or feature on the world stage.

In most cases, boxing is a healthy outlet for fitness and goal setting. Most boxers practice in their free time after working a regular job, with fight purses from successful matchups paying for the costs associated with the profession (fees, training, apparel, and boxing gear).

It’s possible to participate in amateur fights before applying to become a licensed professional British boxer. Let’s look a little closer at the process from amateur to pro boxer.

Learning the Ropes

Most boxers have some training and then when their trainers feel they are ready, they start their amateur boxing career. The idea at the amateur stage is to develop boxing skills and get experience with similar fighters who are literally “learning the ropes”.

The British Boxing Board of Control that license professional boxing look for applicants to have completed a reasonable number of amateur fights. These are verified for authenticity too. When applicants try to get a professional boxer’s licence without a reasonable amateur boxing career already, they’re often turned down until they have the requisite experience. There are exceptions to this rule, like Matt Skelton who went on to take several championship belts, but this is highly unusual.

Obtaining a Professional License with Limited Experience

The Board looks at each boxing application on its merits. Applicants must have a manager assigned through an agreement with one that has a licence to practice. A licenced trainer or second is also necessary for any successful application too.

Training outside of officially approved trainers or being managed by someone that’s not currently licensed by the Board simply won’t work. The rules must be followed, or an amateur boxer will never become a professional one able to accept pro-level boxing matches in Great Britain.

The recent case of Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United player who retired from football in 2015 and went on to begin training based on an agreement for Betfair, is a case in point. The board were unimpressed by the application and refused to look at it further at this time. The former footballer clearly needed either more training or amateur matches sufficient to impress the board ahead of making a follow-up application for a professional licence.

Basic Requirements for a Professional License

As a formality, when applying with the completed application form, it’s necessary to provide the amateur boxing record card, the contract between themselves and their manager, either a passport or birth certification, four colour passport photos, and the licence fee. This is sent to the Head Office of the British Boxing Board of Control.

Having passed the preliminary stage, including an interview, applicants will be asked to supply details about a recent medical exam, along with optician’s report, an HIV test result, MRA/MRI scan of the brain, a blood test for Hepatitis C, a surface antigen test for Hepatitis B, and proof that vaccinations for protection against Hepatitis B have been started.

Only approved boxers who receive a professional British boxing license can take professional boxing matches in Great Britain that are regulated by the British Boxing Board of Control. On some occasions professional boxing matches in Great Britain are regulated by other governing bodies but this is very rare. The fight between David Haye and Dereck Chisora in 2002, was regulated by the Luxembourg Boxing Federation as neither boxer has a British Boxing License. The fight took place in London. Also, white collar boxing fights and unlicensed boxing fights all legally can take place in the UK and be organised for profit. They are however “unlicensed” as the boxers do not have a license with the British Boxing Board of Control. Boxers who follow the correct path are reasonably likely to get approval when they apply at an appropriate juncture in their boxing career.