Hi All,
Below is CT's reply re loan DVDs in holiday lets. I'm not saying this is definitive but a fine, etc, is the last thing I need right now.
Given the 'evidence', my free loan DVD offer will have to go. This is a pity but needs must...it's a shame, especially as most of my DVDs contain movies and series everybody's seen anyway.
Letter begins...
Hello David & Fiona
Further to your enquiry, please see information & weblinks below:
Licences to show DVDs
Do I need a licence?
If accommodation providers are planning to offer guests the use of a DVD film library, they need a licence to do so.
Providing films to paying guests without a licence is an infringement of copyright law (the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988). It is a civil, and in some cases, criminal offence to show a film in this manner without the permission of the copyright owner (the film studios) or their representatives (the licensing bodies).
A licence permits properties to provide DVDs for guests’ use, whether guests are using DVD players, lap tops, games consoles or other portable devices. Properties will be able to hold an unlimited number of DVDs from the represented studios covered by the licence.
Licences are taken out on a different basis depending on the type of guest accommodation:
Bed and breakfast accommodation, guesthouses, small hotels and boutique hotels are required to take a licence out on a per room basis
Serviced apartments require one licence per apartment
Chalets and holiday homes require one licence per chalet/home
Who issues licences?
Organisations that issues licences to businesses include the following.
Filmbank is a joint venture company owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and Sony Pictures Releasing. It operates the DVD Concierge Licence scheme and represents many of the leading Hollywood and independent film studios in the area of film usage outside the cinema and home. For more information, visit their website at
www.filmbank.co.uk.
The Motion Picture Licensing Company (
www.mplcuk.com) states on its websites that it represents more than 350 producers and distributors.
Businesses may wish to look at these and other companies offering a similar service in order to compare prices. The organisation approached should represent the studios producing the films being offered.
Cost of Filmbank licences
The cost of the licences are as follows:
annual properties (those open year round) £36 plus VAT per room/unit
seasonal properties (open for eight months or less) £24 plus VAT per room/unit
The fees payable are for the licence only and accommodation providers would continue to purchase DVDs as usual. The licence fees quoted for guest accommodation apply when no extra charge for the DVD is made to the guest. If a charge is levied, as in most hotels, then a higher licence fee applies.
Avoiding DVD licences
Smaller businesses may choose to avoid the purchase of a licence by removing DVDs. A licence is not required if guests bring their own DVDs to watch.
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Further guidance
Customer Services, TV Licensing, Bristol, BS98 1TL. Tel: 0870 241 6468.
www.tvlicensing.co.uk
Performing Rights Society, tel: 0800 068 4828.
www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk
Phonographic Performance Limited licences: contact the PPL information line, tel: 020 7534 1030.
www.ppluk.com
DVD Concierge Licences: call Filmbank on 020 7984 5954 or email
dvdconcierge@filmbank.co.uk. You can also found out more on the Filmbank website
www.filmbank.co.uk.
Kind regards
Dianne Furness
Industry Services Assistant
01539 825047
...ends
I used Frontpage to build the new site, largely because I've used it before. I plan to make it more picture-rich, when the weather lets me shoot some more pics. 
