Guide
Music and entertainment licensing
TheMusicLicence requirements for playing background music, hosting live performances, and DJ events in hospitality venues including costs, what's covered, and how to comply with PPL PRS.
When you need a music licence
Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, you need permission from copyright holders to play or perform music in public. This includes virtually all commercial music use in hospitality venues.
You need TheMusicLicence if you play background music, host live performances, DJ sets, karaoke nights, or screen films containing music.
Exception: You do not need a licence to play royalty-free music that is not protected by copyright.
Entertainment licence under Licensing Act 2003
In addition to copyright licensing through PPL PRS, you may need regulatory approval under the Licensing Act 2003 for certain types of entertainment.
Television in business premises
If you show television content in your hospitality venue, you need appropriate TV licensing for commercial use.
Live music and special featured entertainment
TheMusicLicence covers both background music and live performances, but different tariffs apply depending on how music is featured.
Live music events
For live music events such as bands or solo artists performing, PPL PRS typically charges a percentage of ticket sales or a fixed fee per event. This can be an economical way to generate custom while supporting live talent.
Special Featured Entertainment (SFE) tariffs
The SFE tariffs cover DJ sets, discos, and dance events where recorded music is the primary entertainment. In January 2023, PPL introduced a revised SFE tariff (PPLPP299) specifically for nightclubs, pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
If you host DJ nights, discos, or events where recorded music is specially featured (rather than background ambience), inform PPL PRS so they can apply the correct tariff to your licence.
Karaoke and open mic nights
Karaoke machines and open mic events involve both recorded and live performance elements. These are covered by TheMusicLicence, but you should specify these activities when applying so PPL PRS can ensure appropriate coverage.
Compliance and enforcement
Playing music in your business without TheMusicLicence is copyright infringement and can result in legal action.
If you are found to play music without a licence, you can be fined through legal proceedings, required to pay backdated licence fees, and subject to an injunction preventing future music use.
PPL PRS actively monitors compliance and will contact businesses suspected of operating without a licence.
Integration with alcohol licensing
Music licensing and alcohol licensing are separate legal requirements, but they often overlap in hospitality venues.
Since the Live Music Act 2012, many live music performances are deregulated for Licensing Act purposes:
- Live unamplified music between 8am and 11pm is deregulated
- Live amplified music for audiences under 500 between 8am and 11pm is deregulated if on premises with alcohol licence
- Recorded music between 8am and 11pm is deregulated on licensed premises for audiences under 500
Important: These deregulations only remove the requirement for Licensing Act permission. You still need TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS for copyright purposes. They are separate legal requirements.