YORK may be a little quieter after today. Small businesses across the city will be reaching for the hi-fi 'off' switch after reading our court report tonight.

It was the licensees of the Burton Stone Inn who were caught playing music without a licence, but the same charge could have been levelled at countless more traders.

Michael and Katherine Short have been landed with a £1,100 legal bill and told this could escalate tenfold if they play music without a licence again. Two years in prison was even mentioned.

This all seems a little draconian for the arguable pleasure of playing If Tomorrow Never Comes in the confines of a public house.

After all, everybody does it. Enter almost any shop, pub, hairdressers or restaurant and you will hear the strains of a CD or the babble of a radio station. The same applies to the dance studio, gym, hotel, sports ground and the list goes on.

Most of the time these venues play background music. It hardly registers. So why shell out for a licence?

Because the writers, performers and producers of this music deserve to have their talent and work rewarded. Businesses play music because they believe it enhances the atmosphere. It may be in the background, but so is the wallpaper and no one would expect that for free.

There is, however, a need to streamline the system. As things stand, businesses need to apply for licences to Phonographic Performance Ltd (representing the record companies and performers) and to the Performing Rights Society (representing the writers and publishers). That's not to mention an entertainment licence for live music.

If the music industry wants businesses' cooperation, it should harmonise its licensing arrangements.

Updated: 11:26 Friday, May 07, 2004