The British copyrights authority PRS for Music is offering the Island’s hospitality sector a break on tariffs to be paid on background music in restaurants, bars and cafés.

The effort to get Bermuda’s establishments to pay for their music has met with some local opposition, but PRS announced the deal had been reached in tandem with the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s restaurant division.

PRS is offering a waiver of any fees that would normally be backdated, with a 50 per cent discount for non-ticketed featured live music for the licence’s first year.

The offer applies to establishments that obtain their licence this month.

In accordance with the Copyright and Designs Act 2004, PRS maintains that in order to play music to customers or staff, all premises must seek permission from the copyright holder by getting a licence.

“This has been a long time coming and I am pleased that we are finally able to put this to bed,” Chris Garland of the Chamber’s restaurant sector said in a statement.

“We have agreed to rates that more adequately represent the state of the industry and the value the licences bring to our businesses.

“I encourage all members and restaurant owners to take advantage of the offer and sign up before October 31.”