Music Licensing in Public Spaces

In the UK, if you are playing music in public or at your business, you will need to get TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS. A licence ensures artists are fairly compensated for their work, and playing music without a licence infringes copyright, and could result in damages.

This licence covers:

• playing recorded music in public or at your business, including background music on the radio, TV or other devices such as mobiles
• playing live music, including at concerts and festivals
• playing live or recorded music in a theatre production

The cost of a music licence varies depending on things such as the venue where you are playing the music, and how the music is being used. Places that need to think about getting a music licence include those such as shops, offices, factories, cinemas, hairdressers, hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars, gyms, churches, public transport and more.

Note, you do not need a licence to play royalty-free music.