Music licensing for business, made simple
Every business that plays music needs public performance rights. Here's exactly what SoundMachine covers, where, and what you might still need to arrange.
At a glance
- USUnited StatesIncluded
- CACanadaIncluded
- UKUnited Kingdom+ TheMusicLicence
- GlobalRest of the world+ Local licence
What the law says about music in business
Whether you run a coffee shop, a clothing store, a spa or a gym, you need the right licences to play music. These are called public performance rights.
Legally, a public performance is any music played outside your normal circle of family and friends. Even closed events count. That applies to MP3s, CDs and radio as much as streaming, and the laws are enforced by performing rights organisations: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR in the US, SOCAN and Re:Sound in Canada, and their equivalents in most countries.
Businesses expected to pay include
- Restaurants
- Hotels & motels
- Offices
- Fitness centres
- Schools
- Residential communities
- Retail stores
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Cafés
- Salons & spas
Personal streaming accounts are for private use only. Using them in a commercial space breaches copyright law and their terms.
What's covered where you are
Choose your country to see what SoundMachine includes and what, if anything, you need to arrange yourself.
Where is your business?
Public performance licences are included
Your subscription includes public performance licences from all four US PROs for background music played through SoundMachine at your registered US locations.
- ASCAPSongwriters, composers and publishersIncluded
- BMISongwriters, composers and publishersIncluded
- SESACSongwriters, composers and publishersIncluded
- GMRSongwriters and publishersIncluded
SoundMachine provides
- Background music played through SoundMachine
- Every registered US location on your account
You need to arrange
Nothing else for background music played through SoundMachine.
Governing law: Title 17, U.S. Code
Licensing all four PROs directly can cost well over $1,000 a year. SoundMachine Business starts at $323.40 a year, music platform included.
United States licensing guidePublic performance licences are included
Your subscription includes SOCAN and Re:Sound public performance licensing for background music played through SoundMachine.
- SOCANComposers, songwriters and publishers (the compositions)Included
- Re:SoundPerformers and record labels (the recordings)Included
SoundMachine provides
- Background music played through SoundMachine
- Compositions (SOCAN) and recordings (Re:Sound)
You need to arrange
Nothing else for background music played through SoundMachine.
Governing law: Copyright Act (Canada)
SoundMachine's annual licence, including SOCAN and Re:Sound for background music, is around CA$400 a year.
Canada licensing guideYou also need TheMusicLicence
In the UK, public performance rights can't be bundled by a music provider. You get TheMusicLicence directly from PPL PRS Ltd. SoundMachine supplies music licensed for commercial use and the tools to run it.
- PRS for MusicPRS for MusicSongwriters, composers and publishers (the compositions)You license directly
- PPLPPLPerformers and record labels (the recordings)You license directly
SoundMachine provides
- Music licensed for commercial use, cleared for professional playback
- Scheduling, messaging and multi-location tools
You need to arrange
- TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd. For small premises it typically costs £300–£450 a year.
Governing law: Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Licensed content plus a local licence
SoundMachine is available in more than 100 countries. Outside the US and Canada, we provide licensed music content, and you get public performance licences from the collecting society in your country.
SoundMachine provides
- Licensed music content
- The full SoundMachine platform
You need to arrange
- A public performance licence from your local collecting society. Our support team can point you to the right one.
Governing law: Local copyright law
Three kinds of music rights
Every song carries rights in the composition and in the recording. For a business, the one that matters most is the right to perform them in public.
- 1
Recording (master) rights
A specific recording of a song, as performed by a particular artist.
Record labels and performers - 2
Publishing rights
The underlying composition, meaning the melody and lyrics, whoever performs it.
Songwriters, composers and publishers - 3
Public performance rights
Permission to play music in a public or commercial space. This is the right that matters most to business owners.
Performing rights organisations (PROs)
What could an unlicensed playlist cost?
US statutory damages for copyright infringement range from $750 to $150,000 per song, depending on whether the infringement is found to be willful.
9,277× the cost of a year of SoundMachine Business, from $323.40.
Four PROs, one subscription
No single US PRO covers every song. A business licensing directly often needs several licences. SoundMachine includes all four for background music played through the service.
Why one licence isn't enough
Each PRO represents different songwriters. Switch licences on and off to see how much of a typical 12-song playlist you'd actually be covered for.
- 01Golden Hour DriveThe Pale CoastBMI
- 02Paper LanternsMila RhodesASCAP
- 03Somewhere BrighterJuniper LaneBMI
- 04Velvet MorningOtis CallowayASCAP
- 05Slow TideHarbour LightsSESAC
- 06Northern StaticAda & the WiresBMI
- 07LinenSoleil ParkASCAP
- 08Late BloomTheo MarshGMR
- 09Copper SkyThe FairweathersBMI
- 10Common GroundNina OkaforASCAP
- 11Blue HourMarlow & FinchBMI
- 12Wildflower RadioJune AshbyASCAP
What the licences don't cover
SoundMachine's US and Canadian licences cover background music played through SoundMachine. These uses need separate licences:
- Live bands and performers
- DJs
- Karaoke
- Venues charging a cover or entry fee
- Other sources: radio, TV, CDs, MP3 players
Not sure about your venue? Ask our support team. They can point you to a music rights specialist.
Licensing guides
- Country guideUnited StatesIn the US, playing music in a commercial space needs public performance licences, and no single organisation covers every song. SoundMachine includes all four PROs in every US plan.Included with SoundMachine
- Country guideCanadaCanadian businesses need two kinds of public performance licence: one for compositions and one for recordings. SoundMachine includes both for background music.Included with SoundMachine
- Country guideUnited KingdomUK businesses need TheMusicLicence, which comes directly from PPL PRS Ltd, plus a music service that is licensed for commercial use. SoundMachine handles the second part.Two parts to UK compliance
- PRO guideASCAPAn ASCAP licence lets your business publicly perform songs from ASCAP's catalogue. But ASCAP is one of four US PROs, so on its own it leaves gaps.Included with SoundMachine
- PRO guideBMIBMI is the largest US PRO by membership. Its licence covers BMI's catalogue, but your playlists almost certainly include songs from the other three PROs too.Included with SoundMachine
- PRO guideSESACIf you already hold ASCAP or BMI licences, they don't cover SESAC music. SESAC is invitation-only, doesn't publish its rates, and needs its own agreement.Included with SoundMachine
Do I need a licence to play music in my business?
Yes. Playing music in a public or commercial setting needs public performance licences, even from a personal playlist. That includes shops, restaurants, salons, gyms and offices.
Can I use Spotify, YouTube or Apple Music in my store?
No. Consumer streaming services are licensed for personal use only, and their terms prohibit commercial playback. Using them in a business can lead to fines or legal action. SoundMachine is licensed for commercial environments.
Is SoundMachine's licence enough on its own?
In the US, SoundMachine includes public performance licensing from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR. In Canada, it includes SOCAN and Re:Sound. Both cover background music played through SoundMachine. In the UK you also need TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd. Elsewhere, you need a licence from your local collecting society.
What happens if I'm caught using unlicensed music?
You may get a cease-and-desist letter or be taken to court for copyright infringement. In the US, statutory damages range from $750 to $150,000 per song, depending on whether the infringement is found to be willful.
Does the licence cover live music or events?
No. SoundMachine's licences don't cover live bands, DJs, karaoke, venues that charge a cover or entry fee, or music from other sources such as radio, TV, CDs or MP3 players. Those uses need separate licences from the relevant organisations.
How can I make sure I'm compliant?
In the US and Canada, using a licensed provider like SoundMachine is the simplest route for background music. If you're unsure about local rules, our support team can point you to the right licensing body or a music rights consultant.
Play it fair. Try it for free.
Licensed background music for your business, with licensing included in the US and Canada.