PRS for Music, the global organisation in charge of ensuring musicians receive royalties when their song is played, has said it “is listening to a wider group of businesses and musicians after a recent trip to Bermuda”.

But a Bermuda Music Users Group (BMUG) spokesman said yesterday the organisation had not listened to any of their key concerns, and only views Bermuda as a “cash cow”.

PRS for Music, which represents over 100,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, recently sent two representatives to Bermuda to meet with government officials, hoteliers, restaurateurs, broadcasters, concert promoters and representatives from BMUG.

They also met the Chewstick Foundation and the Musicians Federation “to explain the benefits of PRS for Music membership to Bermudian songwriters”.

Ben Fairn, spokesman for BMUG, said after an initial meeting in the Chamber of Commerce, BMUG sat down with the PRS representatives in a follow-up meeting to discuss the issues raised, but said an e-mail from PRS shows “they didn’t take note of what we had to say”.

The primary concern, Mr Fairn said, is that PRS for Music is taking advantage of Bermudian businesses by charging rates that do not compare to other jurisdictions.

“The rates that they’re proposing have no relationship to anything that’s being done in the Caribbean, or being done in North America.

“The Bermuda rate card, which they propose on their website, shows rates of many multiples of what they’re charging other jurisdictions.

“So one of our key notes for them in our discussion was if we take another island in the Caribbean as an example with a population near 60,000 people, their contribution based on the number of people and amount of revenue should roughly equivalent to what Bermuda would be paying as a whole.

“That didn’t seem to be understood. Of course Bermuda is a very wealthy place because of international business, but that doesn’t mean our rates should be substantially higher.

“I’m not sure they understood that and I’m not sure they’re willing to agree to that.”

Mr Fairn also claimed that PRS for Music has only singled out Bermuda for its wealth, calling it a “cash cow.”

“Bermuda was referred to by the PRS for Music as a ‘cash cow’ some years ago in a meeting in the Caribbean.

“We have friends in the Caribbean who sat in on those meetings. I can’t disclose who they are but we know they (PRS for Music) retained Bermuda ... for that reason. They came with that in mind.”

“We know that music is an important part of Bermudian culture and is core to many businesses like broadcasting, events and hospitality.

“We believe it’s only fair that songwriters are respected and can share in the benefits their music brings to such businesses,” said Jackie Church, Head of International Licensing for PRS, who met with BMUG and others recently.

“It’s been a valuable experience to spend time with businesses and musicians to clear up any misconceptions and ensure clarity about the importance of music licensing in Bermuda.

“We were also delighted to meet Bermudian songwriters — both established and new. Some of these already receive royalties from the global music community through PRS for Music and we look forward to more Bermudian songwriters joining us.

“We are continuing a dialogue with representatives in Bermuda to ensure we properly understand concerns and work to address them.”

If Bermudian businesses have any concerns or issues they would like to discuss, PRS for Music encourages them to get in touch on 1-877-457-0079 (toll free) or e-mail bermuda@prsformusic.com.