The warning comes after a number of businesses told the BCC they had been threatened with court action, cold-called or billed by the Performing Rights Society (PRS) for playing music without possessing a licence to do so.

The licence covers the act of playing copyrighted music in the workplace but many businesses claim they are unaware of the law or the PRS.

A spokesman for the BCC said:

"Chambers of Commerce from across the country have been telling me that the PRS has been ramping up its efforts to get money out of businesses, many of whom are simply not aware of the law. Due to the complete lack of information on the law many businesses are seeing this as yet another extra tax they have to pay. The PRS needs to tell people what the law is and why it exists before demanding money."