Music is a key aspect of creating the right atmosphere in your business. It has many benefits for your staff and customers, from improving productivity, boosting mood and creating a welcoming ambience to make your customers feel valued and relaxed.
But if you’re a business owner, it isn’t as straightforward as plugging in your phone and pressing play to your favourite tunes. Copyright laws mean you must have the right permission and pay those who created the music each time their tracks are played in your business. If you don’t, you could face costly fines and legal action.
This blog post answers the top questions about legally playing background music in a business and explores all of the options.
Can I Play Background Music in My Business?
The short answer is yes. Any business can play background music to help create the perfect atmosphere for their employees and customers. However, to play it legally without the risk of big fines and legal action, you must have the correct type of music licence.
When you play commercial music in your business for your customers and staff, it’s classed as a public performance of the music. The legislation states that you must obtain the copyright holder’s permission to publicly perform their music. To comply with the law and play copyrighted music in your business, you need to purchase a music license from PPL PRS, which is the body that collects royalty payments and distributes them to artists, distributors and composers.
The Music Licence UK
If you want to play commercial music in your business, whether that’s via a radio, CD, TV or digital streaming service, you need to purchase a music licence which then allows you to legally play it.
PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and PRS (Performing Right Society) represent the interests of the copyright holders. Together, they operate TheMusicLicence. The fees collected from licences are distributed as royalties to the artists, songwriters, record labels, and performers.
The cost of a music licence varies depending on things like the size of the audible area and the number of customers or staff your space holds. For example, the cost of a licence for a cafe or restaurant that is up to 400 sqm and 30 seats is £515.37 plus VAT per year. If you want to increase the number of seats to more than 30, the cost moves up to the next bracket.
Is the Music Licence Legally Enforceable?
Yes. Having the appropriate music licence is a legal requirement, you are infringing copyright laws if you play live or recorded music in public without a licence. PPL PRS are proactive in ensuring businesses play music legally and conduct site visits and telephone calls to collect evidence of illegal music use.
Fines for not having a music licence can run into hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds, depending on the size of your business.
Royalty-Free Music. The Legal Alternative to the Music Licence
For many business owners, the cost of a music licence is hard to justify. Particularly in the current economic climate, with ever-increasing prices. The good news is that there is a cheaper alternative that still allows you to play high-quality background music. At a fraction of the cost of a music licence.
Royalty-free music is a popular choice with business owners who want to play music but don’t want to spend hundreds of pounds to do so. Royalty-free music doesn’t require a licence because PPL PRS don’t collect royalty payments for the copyright owners. A music licensing company pays them instead.
Where Can I Find Royalty-Free Music?
Several platforms provide access to royalty-free music. Some key things to consider when looking for a licence-free music provider are:
✅ The range of tracks they provide
✅ How regularly do they update playlists
✅ Whether they provide a certificate of your royalty-free music subscription to satisfy PPL PRS requirements.
We provide all three of these things at Background Sounds. We’re a specialist provider of licence-free music subscriptions for businesses across the UK and are passionate about helping you find the right licence-free music for your business.
We provide a personalised service with an extensive library of royalty-free playlists. Designed for use in a wide range of businesses, from retail premises to hairdressers, cafes and bars. Our tracks help you create the perfect ambience for your business. At a fraction of the cost of a music licence.
Background Sounds Music Library
With over 50 playlists covering more than 20 genres, you’ll find the type of music that’s perfect for your business. Whether that’s hospitality, medical, retail or office-based.
But don’t just take our word for it. Try our music for free for 7 days. You’ll get full access to our entire playlist library and we’ll be on hand to answer any questions.
Lovely Atmosphere
It has helped to create a lovely atmosphere for our customers to shop in and for our staff and volunteers to work in.
Victoria Canavan
Love Mixing it Up
My team have become mini DJ’s as they love mixing up the music to suit the mood in the salon and the weather outside.
Nikki Froud
Love it!
Background Sounds is 100% perfect for my fitness business. Royalty-free playlists for every type of class, mood and energy level. From chilled out yoga to high energy techno! Love it 🙂
Soozi Kay
Summary – How Can I Play Music in My Business Legally?
Playing music legally in your business is essential if you want to avoid fines and possible legal action. Buying a PRS PPL is the traditional approach for playing copyrighted music. If you want a more cost-effective option, royalty-free music could be the best option for you.
About Us
Background Sounds is a specialist provider of royalty-free music. Working with small businesses looking to play music without the need to buy a PRS PPL Music Licence.
Access to the service is via online music streaming and is available with a subscription. You can find out all you need to know on our home page here.
