Bacta to escalate political campaign against illegal music streaming

Bacta, the trade body representing the UK amusements, leisure and low-stake gaming sectors is mobilising its political lobbying expertise in order to address the commercial threat posed by the use of illegal music streaming across a broad range of retail businesses including pubs.

Following the summer meeting of bacta’s Music Users Group the trade association has pledged to again take-up the use of personal streaming accounts in public environments with politicians and the relevant representative bodies including the PPL – the UK’s music licensing company and the British Beer and Pub Association.

Bacta Chief Executive John White said: “Using a personal music streaming account in such a way is totally illegal and I am writing to the Rt Hon Lucy Frazer MP, Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport as well as contacting the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music to explain how juke box operators and providers of background music services are losing legitimate business due to an illegal practice.

He added: “Bacta members have confirmed that this practice is growing unchecked and is having a significant detrimental impact on business during what is already a challenging trading environment.”

Image: John White Chief Executive BACTA