MPLC licence in a business with no TV, just computers

chili_pepper999

I run a small business with around 120 employees, I have been contacted by a quite aggressive sales person from the Motion Picture Licensing Company - MPLC - who states that their database indicates that we do not have an MPLC licence and insisting we need one. I have never heard of this organisation but a quick Google search reveals that you need one of their licences if you show films or TV publicly where multiple people can view, for example in a staff canteen.
I advised that we do not have a TV onsite but they state that as we have computers with internet access that are capable of receiving streaming services such as You Tube, we still need a licence. It is against our company policies to watch TV or films on PCs etc. but apparently this is not sufficient because there is a remote chance that an employee could access a streaming channel and multiple people might see it, and it might be showing something that is from one of their members.
The cost of the license is £19.63 plus VAT per employee regardless of if they have access to a PC or not, so for my business it's nearly £2500 per annum, straight of the bottom line.
Reviewing the Government website it is not conclusive.
This looks as though MPLC are interpreting the rules to the their advantage and also this suggests that every business with computer that has internet access and more than one employee needs one of these licenses.
Has anybody else had this issue and what was the resolution?

Savvy_Sue

I found this old thread, which seems relevant.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5991159/mplc-license-do-i-need-one-or-is-it-a-rip-off

Nearlyold

I would have thought if you're not doing what buying a licence would allow you to do then you don't need the licence

lincroft1710

I think this is a case where "i would refer you to the reply given in the case of Arkell v. Pressdram".may be an appropriate response to the aggressive sales person.

penners324

You might need a tv licence regardless. Otherwise ignore the mplc. Sounds a bit scammy 

penners324

Reading the government website, you dont need a mplc licence. It specifically says you dont.

Savvy_Sue

penners324 said:

Reading the government website, you dont need a mplc licence. It specifically says you dont.

Would you be able to link to where you found that? My googling has failed ... 

penners324

Screenshot from Hmrc website

Bookworm225

penners324 said:

Screenshot from Hmrc website

the link itself would have been more useful

chili_pepper999

Thanks, this is exactly the statement that MPLC are using to tell me we need this licence. We have an acceptable use policy that prohibits the use of the company internet service for connecting to iPlayer and other streaming services but MPLC say that because staff can still access these services we need a licence just in case. It is also complicated by the fact the MPLC are specifically interested in You Tube use because of the amount of films on there and we have our own You Tube channel so I can't block it

molerat

They cannot do anything about you not having a licence, it is down to them to prove you are watching licensed content. You don't even have to inform them about your corporate policy on the subject, the onus is on them to prove anything.  Just ignore their speculative invoice..