Music licensing for businesses in the United Kingdom
UK 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
Get TheMusicLicence directly from PPL PRS Ltd. No music provider can bundle it. Then use a commercial service like SoundMachine, not a consumer app.
- PRS for Music
- PPL
The UK's two licensing bodies, one licence
PPL and PRS for Music formed a joint venture, PPL PRS Ltd, so most businesses need just one licence: TheMusicLicence.
- PRS for MusicRepresents songwriters, composers and publishers for the use of compositions and lyrics.
- PPLRepresents performers and record labels for the use of recorded music.
What the law says
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, playing music in public without the correct licence is copyright infringement. Buying or streaming music legally for personal use doesn't make it legal for business use.
TheMusicLicence is mandatory for most UK businesses playing music, whatever the source: radio, CD, TV or streaming. It must be obtained directly from PPL PRS Ltd, not through a third-party music provider.
Your UK compliance checklist
Tick off both steps to play music legally in a UK business.
0 of 2 complete
Three kinds of music rights
- 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)
In the UK, public performance of the composition is licensed by PRS for Music, and the recording by PPL. The two are combined in one licence, TheMusicLicence, from PPL PRS Ltd.
What affects the cost of TheMusicLicence
Typical fees for small premises range from £300 to £450 a year. The exact price depends on:
- Business typeYour industry and how your premises are classified.
- Space and speakersFloor area and speaker setup.
- How music is usedBackground music versus featured use.
- ScaleNumber of employees or locations.
TheMusicLicence doesn't make Spotify legal for business
Spotify and similar services are licensed for personal, non-commercial use only. Their terms prohibit public or commercial playback, even if you hold TheMusicLicence. Using them breaches copyright law and the platform's terms.
Staying compliant in the UK
| Requirement | How to meet it |
|---|---|
| Public performance rights (PRS + PPL) | Apply directly for TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd |
| A commercial-grade music service | Use a platform licensed for business, like SoundMachine |
Does SoundMachine replace TheMusicLicence?
No. SoundMachine works alongside it, providing music licensed for commercial use and the tools to manage it. In the UK, public performance licensing still requires TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd.
If I have TheMusicLicence, can I use Spotify?
No. Consumer streaming services prohibit business use in their terms, whatever licence you hold.
Do I need anything else for live events or karaoke?
Possibly. TheMusicLicence covers most commercially available music, but special uses such as live events or karaoke may need additional licensing.
More licensing guides
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