The founder of the Hop Farm Music Festival has been banned from playing music in public after it was revealed events were hosted without a licence.

John Vince Power, who has been regarded as one of the UK's leading concert promoters has been involved with many major festivals, but now is banned from playing music.

According to the High Court in London, he has also operated various well-known live music venues in London including the Mean Fiddler club and is reported to have built up at £60m empire.

His business' ranged from music and festivals to successful nightclubs and restaurants.

However, at the court it was claimed Power infringed copyright at The Hop Farm Festival at the events in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

PRS claimed that Power was the “guiding will and mind” of the companies and authorised or directed the alleged acts of infringement.

But when they took legal moves against him he failed to file a defence to the action with the result that PRS was this week given judgment against him by Mr Justice Birss at London’s High Court.

In addition to banning him from playing music in public until he brings his licences up to date the judge also ordered Power to pay £7,987 in legal costs run up by PRS in taking action against him.

If Power does not obey the ban that could constitute contempt of court, the penalties can be fines of up to £10,000 and up to six months prison.

Power had announced plans for a 2014 Hop Farm Festival, but an event was eventually stage by a new promoter.

PRS is a non-profit making organisation which collects licence fees for public performances of music and then distributes the cash among composers and music publishers.

It represents the only practical way copyright fees can be collected for public performances.

A spokesperson for PRS said: "Whenever you play a sound recording in public, there are two separate licence fees to be paid.

"PRS distributes its licence fees to composers and music publishers and Phonographic Performance Ltd collects a separate licence fee which they distribute to record companies, recording artists and musicians.

"A licence is required for any event except a family or domestic gathering, such as a wedding reception or birthday party. PRS sometimes waives fees for charity events."

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