Just what documentation do we really need

[Creature]

Like everyone else at the moment am looking to cut back on costs in the current climate to help me remain competative.

and I am wondering exactly what legal bits you actually need and what they each actually cover. ???

answers in plain lanuage please

[JAMdisco]

Not 100% clear on what you mean but my interpretation is that you mean PLI & PAT and such?

The only real legal documentation to run a disco is anything to do with the music side, i.e. Produb or original CD's.

PAT & PLI will most likely be required for some venues so by not having these you may limit your client base, but they are by no means a legal requirement.

[edit] oh yeah and if it is a business, you have to be registered with the Inland Revenue (how could I forget THAT!)

[Creature]

ok my stuff is all Pat tested (except for new items ive brought this year, they will be done next year).

My PLI will expire next month but so far all my venues have PLI provided and disco is covered (so as I see it this is advisable but not criticle)

Probub I dont require as the few mp3's I have have been downloaded legaly to playout device - am mainly on cds (but do I need legal document to play in public ??? )

Also looking around as my rig insurance is coming up for renewal soon, am looking around here to see if i can save money

[DynamicRain]

Be careful with PLI. I'm almost certain that the venue's won't cover you. PLI is an individual thing nowadays. Most venues will have PLI cover for the venues normal duties. ie. slipping in toilets or dropping a glass on your foot. For this they pay a reduced fee. This does not however cover the things they do out of the ordinary (and in their trade this could mean "not every day"). A disco event not staffed by them, not rigged by them is highly likely not to be covered.

Your PLI is to cover you backside should anything YOU DO or DON'T DO that leads to someone making a claim against YOU.

You set the speaker stand up! You pay the claim when it gets tripped over!

Sorry,

DynamicRain.

[Creature]

ok just looking at PRS & PPL but all the websites speak in double dutch and i cannot understand them at all !

are they required by law ???

[DazzyD]

Right. PRS/PPL Public Performance licences are, in the vast majority of cases, held by the venue. The only times when this is not the case may be in places like church halls where they don't take many bookings or outdoor PUBLIC functions (not on private property at say a wedding in a marque in someone's garden). These events will need the purchase of an individual event public performance licence. It's in my T&Cs that it's the client's responsibility to ensure that all performance licences are in place which covers my back.

PLI is not a legal requirement but is important should someone make a claim against you. Venues PLI will, in the vast majority of cases, not cover you as well. Many posh hotels will insist on it as it could be part of their health and safety policy, fire certificate or insurance. Like any insurance, you hope you'll never need it but, if you haven't got and something goes wrong and you get sued, then, frankly, you're stuffed. You stand to lose a hell of a lot more than a PLI premium.

Again, PAT testing is not a legal requirement but some venues may insist on for the same safety reasons as the PLI. Fire certificates and H&S policy are renowned for insisting that all equipment on site (whether permanent or temporary) is tested.

It's best practice to keep these things going. If you let them lapse then you're taking a big risk.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Just to add to Daz...If you burn down someones Marquee because of an electrical fault with your equipment, if you havent shown to have PAT then PLI may not pay out :)

[Creature]

MAny thanx for that Daz very clear - if ive any further questions can i phone/pm you ?

[NKR]

PAT test crica £40
PLI in the region do £80 from DJ association sources.

Thats half a gig to be sure you don't lose the shirt fyour back and spend hours doing community service cleaning public loos (okay a bit extreme).

Oh an no-one has mentioned make sure your vehicle is insured for the purpose you are using it for. None business insurance and incorrect profession and the fuzz are going to throw the book at you if you are in a collision. I got business cover for entertainer on my wifes shogun with tow bar and trailer on the back for £480 fully comp (thats both of us all in, so its not as bad as people make out)

My feelings on it are I would rather be safe than sorry. Its a bummer, but thats life.

As for the revenue, make sure you get a good accountant and claim all that is legitimate (thats includes the accountants fee). Don't fear the reaper, but do fear the revenue.

[DazzyD]

MAny thanx for that Daz very clear - if ive any further questions can i phone/pm you ?

I'm by no means an expert on these matters but feel free to PM me. More times than not, my mobile will go to the answerphone so you're best off not wasting your money and PM me or email at [email protected]. I cannot guarantee an immediate reply but I try to respond to all my enquiries within a max of 3 working days (but usually it's the same day as I tend to check my messages most nights).

There are links on the forum to PRS & PPL sites that tell you in detail when and why you need their licences. I haven't got them to hand and I'm a bit too tired to think right now but try a search. I'll try and find them and post them again as they are helpful.

To sum up, the only legal requirements are ProDub (if you are format-shifting or copying your music collection), business-class vehicle insurance (so as not to void your vehicle insurance policy by using it for business purposes) and registration for Income Tax & National Insurance. Everything else is, legally, optional but in my eyes vital and I wouldn't consider dropping/skipping PLI, PAT, equipment insurance, personal accident insurance, etc. These expenses increase overheads but mean I'm fully protected for just about anything that can go wrong.

[Creature]

dont matter Dazzy just need someone to answer my silly questions in one sylables so i can understand :):)