Have you been cought Wit no radio License?

[Twista500]

Well I Just Found Out you need some PPL Lisence To own a radio? Have you guys been cought? Should I try Broadcasting a Radio Without 1?

Edited by Thom (Forum Moderator): Thread moved from 'Designing & Development' to here as I feel more suited to this forum

[GoldenMerc]

Depends how big your radio gets, if its not getting much dont bother buying one

[Twista500]

Depends how big your radio gets, if its not getting much dont bother buying one
how much is big to you? like 50 listeners?

[GoldenMerc]

like 5000 listners

[Twista500]

like 5000 listners
do you think habbox has 1 ?

[Recursion]

do you think habbox has 1 ?

Habbox were caught without one iirc and they had to buy one or move their server location or something like that.

[GoldenMerc]

I think Habbox baught one for a year, then they never asked again?

[Richie]

Habbox doesn't have one. Any time i asked management they said "we had an excuse not to pay" and when i asked what was the excuse they wouldn't tell me. I reckon emails from PPLUK may be just getting ignored. I had my radio open for some time and got smacked with a hefty fine, my options were to close down the radio or be contacted by their lawyer with a court date.

[peteyt]

To broadcast online you need a PPL/PRS license - ones for like the singers, one's for the writers (and other things). Then if you went FM/Digital you'd need aseparateone via OFCOM on top of the other two (if you planned to be online as well).

There are lots of myths when it comes to licenses. For example I've heard people claim that non profitable sites don't need one, or you don't need one if your under a certain age. The truth is if you play any kind of music that is copyrighted e.g. in the charts, on cd's - artists have a label, then it is illegal to broadcast without licenses. Also if you buy a SHOUTcast server your only buying the server, you still need the licenses on top of that if you aim to stream copyrighted material.

Obviously if your playing unsigned stuff, your own stuff or stuff you've got permission to play then that's okay. Most small online radio stations, at least Habbo ones, don't have licenses. While the chances of getting caught are low, there's always the risk. It's why for my station I've always had licenses then If someone is interested in advertising with us I can proudly show them all the paperwork letting them know I'm 100 percent legal.

Also remember even if you have licenses you need to buy your music, downloading copyrighted stuff is still illegal. People download from programs that say 100 percent legal, not realising that while the software is legal, the files are not hosted by the software developers and are actually uploaded by the programs users. For example when installing LimeWire you used to have to tell the program you wouldn't use it to breach copyrights so that the developers couldn't get sued (although they did eventually).

[Twista500]

Habbox doesn't have one. Any time i asked management they said "we had an excuse not to pay" and when i asked what was the excuse they wouldn't tell me. I reckon emails from PPLUK may be just getting ignored. I had my radio open for some time and got smacked with a hefty fine, my options were to close down the radio or be contacted by their lawyer with a court date.
So You Had to pay a fine And close The Radio Or you can Just Close the Radio with no fine? How much was The Fine? And how muh was it?

[peteyt]

So You Had to pay a fine And close The Radio Or you can Just Close the Radio with no fine? How much was The Fine? And how muh was it?

I think the fine will depend on the severity. I've heard of some Habbo radio's being asked to pay a backlog e.g. pay extra to cover the stuff they streamed while not licensed. Depending on how big the station is and how much if any profit they make, PPL/PRS could decide to take the site to court and if need be get them closed. Small sites usually don't get hit too hard due to the costs it would actually take to get them to court but they could easily just get the host to ban you if need be.

[Twista500]

I think the fine will depend on the severity. I've heard of some Habbo radio's being asked to pay a backlog e.g. pay extra to cover the stuff they streamed while not licensed. Depending on how big the station is and how much if any profit they make, PPL/PRS could decide to take the site to court and if need be get them closed. Small sites usually don't get hit too hard due to the costs it would actually take to get them to court but they could easily just get the host to ban you if need be.
What's the common fine? Is It Around $1000 Or less?

[Richie]

What's the common fine? Is It Around $1000 Or less?

It varies. If you're looking to make a website inrelationto radio I'd honestly just say stick to djing for other fansites, it isn't worth the hassle. Why should you get shot with an arrow in the knee if someone else will take an arrow in the knee for you. Either way you'll still get enjoyment out of djing.

[Twista500]

It varies. If you're looking to make a website inrelationto radio I'd honestly just say stick to djing for other fansites, it isn't worth the hassle. Why should you get shot with an arrow in the knee if someone else will take an arrow in the knee for you. Either way you'll still get enjoyment out of djing.
well thanks for the help I got another question If I were to buy a Radio and pay with coins (I have the offer) Am I The legit owner of It?

[xxMATTGxx]

well thanks for the help I got another question If I were to buy a Radio and pay with coins (I have the offer) Am I The legit owner of It?

I'm assuming this is Habbo coins, I doubt you will be paying for an actual licence for the radio itself. Just probably going to get a normal shoutcast server or even nothing.

[peteyt]

well thanks for the help I got another question If I were to buy a Radio and pay with coins (I have the offer) Am I The legit owner of It?

Do SHOUTcasts actually let you pay with Habbo money? Never heard of one but there might be some. If you buy a radio from a SHOUTcast host you'll have it but you'll be agreeing to their terms, so if you where caught broadcasting copyrighted stuff without licenses they could terminate you just like that. I know sites that have been caught and blocked by their hosts for hosting illegal/copyrighted files.

[beth]

i think it's pretty stupid to enter into illegal practices when it's pretty evident you don't rly understand the basics. stay away from it.

[Richie]

i think it's pretty stupid to enter into illegal practices when it's pretty evident you don't rly understand the basics. stay away from it.

Without being too blunt i think this sums up the thread. If you feel you need to start a radio check out that appropriate websites for the licences and contact them directly.

http://www.ppluk.com/
(http://www.ppluk.com/)http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx




(http://www.prsformusic.com/Pages/default.aspx)if you are not located in the UK the licences will obviously go through different companys, for example i live in ireland and i would pay through http://www.ppiltd.com/ & http://www.imro.ie/

[Twista500]

Alright thanks for the help guys il think about what ill do :)

---------- Post added 28-12-2011 at 09:43 PM ----------


Do SHOUTcasts actually let you pay with Habbo money? Never heard of one but there might be some. If you buy a radio from a SHOUTcast host you'll have it but you'll be agreeing to their terms, so if you where caught broadcasting copyrighted stuff without licenses they could terminate you just like that. I know sites that have been caught and blocked by their hosts for hosting illegal/copyrighted files.
ive got a friend he sells shoutCASTS for coins

[peteyt]

Alright thanks for the help guys il think about what ill do :)

---------- Post added 28-12-2011 at 09:43 PM ----------


ive got a friend he sells shoutCASTS for coins

Just remember that small sites like this are run by individuals. If he's selling SHOUTcast's via Habbo coins then obviously its a very small site, which can mean problems. A lot of people start up web hosting/SHOUTcast hosting sites regularly and close them down not long after, its often better going to the professionals who have a lot more experience.

But also remember if you do choose to go with them, and you get caught without licenses, they can and probably will ban you.

[Twista500]

Just remember that small sites like this are run by individuals. If he's selling SHOUTcast's via Habbo coins then obviously its a very small site, which can mean problems. A lot of people start up web hosting/SHOUTcast hosting sites regularly and close them down not long after, its often better going to the professionals who have a lot more experience.

But also remember if you do choose to go with them, and you get caught without licenses, they can and probably will ban you.
Well thats a great advantage for me I guess.