We've heard from an NFIB member who was threatened with a lawsuit and exorbitant penalties after a music-licensing organization found that she’d been playing music at her business without a license. On one night in 2017, a private investigator sat inside a bar and wrote down the names of the songs heard. Of course, as a business owner, you can work with a musician or composer directly to pay them for their music – either original music written specifically for your store or music the artist has already written that you want to use. Perhaps by giving a few examples of the penalties other companies faced, we can help you see why getting the proper license is so important. Music excluded from PPL PRS’s list is sometimes referred to as “copyright-free” or “royalty-free” music. How Much Are the Fines for Playing Music? Songwriters and composers depend on ASCAP to license their songs to the hundreds of thousands businesses across the country that perform their music, leaving them free to do what they do best - make music. More information. © 2021, Cloud Cover Music. You have been told that you need to pay for the music you play in your business, but you just can't seem to force yourself to comply. Your church might play music in their coffee shop. This means that copying the music from a CD including onto an iPod, without the permission of all relevant copyright owners, is an infringement of copyright except in very limited circumstances. If you are an establishment selling recorded music as well as other products, you don’t have to pay a fee for playing prerecorded music, provided that “the sole purpose of the performance is to promote the retail sale of copies or phonorecords of the work” and the music is played “within the immediate area where the sale is occurring.” For record stores, this exemption works well, but it’s a little trickier for other … That means anything that is not domestic use. For more information on music licences and prices visit the OneMusic Australia website. OneMusic worked for years to create music licences specific to all industry sectors and customised to the size and scale of your operation. you’re just playing the radio to you and Bob the intern, this counts as a Whereas other picky penalties, like dubious parking charges, may seem beyond reason. This is quite straightforward; the UK’s two music licensing societies have joined forces to create TheMusicLicence and make it easier for businesses to get a PPL for the playing of, or performance of, music in a public … sets out an exemption to certain uses of music at “educational establishments”. Why? The very first time a PRO might reach out to a company could be through a lawsuit, and that is legal. At Direct365, we provide small businesses with a variety of compliance services, including Fire Safety, Electrical Safety, Waste Management, Building Facilities and more. you’re cutting hair, or perhaps you’re looking at spreadsheets, or maybe you’re PPL PRS ensure that artists and record companies get royalties when their music is played. It’s okay, you can thank us later. We also license UK businesses and organisations to play music in public through PPL PRS Ltd, our joint venture with PRS for Music. But there are some businesses that never reach out to a PRO. Note the importance of those last words. To use this music, you may need to get permission from For guidance to help you start of run your business, contact our free business advisory service. society like the PPL PRS, who have a wide variety of companies and producers This merger took place in February 2018 – prior to this, the companies were completely separate. Fines & Lawsuits for Streaming Without a License. Playing Music in Public. Please tick this box to opt in to receive marketing emails about our products and services, Hand Dryers vs. Paper Towels: The Modern Result, play recorded music in public or at your business (including background music on a CD, radio or music channel), stage live music events in public (for example, a concert or festival), use sound recordings in a theatrical production (including on-stage and off-stage effects). However, this may not be the case as you will also need a music licence … So, I guess you’re wondering what this regulatory body means for your business. This means fines and lawsuits … No two business sectors are the same, so your music licence will look different too. All music is the intellectual property of its creator(s) and is protected under Australian copyright laws. Soon after, the PRO filed a lawsuit for $3,000 to $120,000 … Cloud Cover Music is a trademark of Cloud Cover Media, Inc., Terms, conditions, features, availability, pricing, fees, services and support options subject to change without notice. Dear Music Lawyer, Can I play the radio at work without a public performance license from the performing rights organizations? touch today to keep your establishment in good health and safety standards. Soon after, the PRO filed a lawsuit for $3,000 to $120,000 for those four songs alone. your establishment is playing recorded music without their permission. cafe’s, nurseries and the like, if you’re listening exclusively on headphones This might include iPods that are loaded with illegally downloaded music or DJs who are using digital music devices, such as computers, without the relevant reproduction licences in place. £19k fine and prison warning for playing music without a licence By Oli Gross contact As the UK's music licensing company for tens of thousands of performers and recording rightsholders, we license radio stations, TV channels and some online services to include recorded music in their broadcasts. Identify the rights needed. They enlist collections to a performing rights When is it Legal at Events and Businesses? You’ve got Spotify playing in the background (or any other music streaming platform) and you’re happily tapping your foot to a smoothly curated jazz mix. Music Users who play music in the course of doing business need to pay a licence fee. To use this music, you may need to get permission from those rights holders directly or through a third party (unless the music is covered by the music license at a later date). Pay for your TV Licence. Many think that by purchasing the music (including Spotify membership, Soundtrack your brand etc) they are covered. This is covered under Section 34 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, which Copyright law gives copyright holders exclusive rights and controls how music is used. Call us to find out more. The answers to those questions can be unpleasant. PRS for Music and PPL, the UK’s two music collecting societies, have joined forces to set up PPL PRS Ltd, a joint venture combining the two societies’ public performance licensing activities. been playing recorded music without a license. A licence is not required to stage a performance of live music, or the playing of recorded music if: it takes place between 8AM and 11PM; and it takes place at an alcohol on-licensed premises; and This includes businesses such as promoters, pubs, mobile DJs, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls and live music venues. The cost of TheMusicLicence varies depending on the specific characteristics of each pub or bar, so please contact us for a quote. The reality of the situation is that songwriters receive most of their compensation from public performances, so that business owners may be responsible for obtaining a license … Pro filed a lawsuit like this can seem like an overreaction, but is. Australia website and GP practices and more, here ’ s “ on hold ” music TheMusicLicence from PPL ensure! Businesses go through a lot of red tape with so much confusion about music licensing, here ’ s to... In compliance with the law means playing with fire, and it could severe... 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