Do you need a Motion Picture Licence?

It has been brought to CODE's attention that a number of dental practices are finding themselves in breach of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, simply because they are using televisions without the correct licence.

While you probably have a standard TV licence already, these only cover private use. As a dental practice is classed as a public space, it is important to have a separate licence in place because showing television programmes or films – either via the TV, DVD, or internet – in a public environment is classified as broadcasting.

This means that along with your normal TV licence, and your PRS and PPL licences that are required to broadcast music in your dental practice, you also require another licence to use a television in your dental practice. These are easily obtainable from the Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC) at a cost of £76 plus VAT from www.themplc.co.uk.