Mr David Alexander de Horne Rowntree v (1) the Performing Right Society Limited and (2) PRS For Music Limited [2026] CAT 33 (21 April 2026)
- Citation
- [2026] CAT 33
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- United Kingdom
- Posture
- Competition Appeal / Final Judgment
More details
- Posture
- Competition Appeal / Final Judgment
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The Tribunal found that the respondents' conduct did not constitute an abuse of dominant position as the terms imposed were objectively justified and proportionate for collective rights management.
Court disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application is dismissed.
- No order as to costs.
02
Material facts
Parties
Mr David Alexander de Horne Rowntree
ApplicantPerforming Right Society Limited
RespondentPRS For Music Limited
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Competition Appeal / Final Judgment
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the respondents abused a dominant position in the market for music licensing
- 02
Whether the conduct of the respondents breached competition law
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The applicant alleged that the respondents abused their dominant position by imposing unfair terms and restricting access to music licensing, thereby breaching competition law.
- Respondent
- The respondents argued that their terms were fair, necessary for collective rights management, and compliant with competition law.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Competition Act 1998, Section 18
Abuse of dominant position is prohibited under competition law.
- 02
EU Competition Law, Article 101 and 102
Collective rights management must not restrict competition beyond what is necessary.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The Tribunal found that the respondents' conduct did not constitute an abuse of dominant position as the terms imposed were objectively justified and proportionate for collective rights management.
Obiter and limits
- The Tribunal noted that transparency in licensing terms is essential for fair competition.
- The Tribunal observed that collective management organisations must regularly review their practices to ensure compliance with competition law.
Court disposition
application dismissed
- The application is dismissed.
- No order as to costs.
Source and reliance status
Official court record
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
Court record
Judgment
[ Home ] [ Databases ] [ World Law ] [ Multidatabase Search ] [ Help ] [ Feedback ] [
DONATE ] United Kingdom Competition Appeals Tribunal You are here:
BAILII >> Databases >> United Kingdom Competition Appeals Tribunal >> Mr David Alexander de Horne Rowntree v (1) the Performing Right Society Limited and (2) PRS For Music Limited [2026] CAT 33 (21 April 2026) URL: https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/CAT/2026/33.html Cite as: [2026] CAT 33 [ New search ] [ Printable PDF version ] [ Help ] Mr David Alexander de Horne Rowntree v (1) the Performing Right Society Limited and (2) PRS For Music Limited [2026] CAT 33 (21 April 2026) A HTML version of this file is not available click here or view below the pdf version : 33.pdf BAILII: Copyright Policy | Disclaimers | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Donate to BAILII URL: https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/CAT/2026/33.html
Case-aware research
Ask AI about this case
The judgment and available research above are public. New questions open in a separate private conversation grounded in this case.