Obtain music licences for your business premises

When you need a music licence

If you play music in your business premises - whether background music, radio, streaming services, or live performances - you need music licences. This applies to shops, restaurants, offices, gyms, salons, hotels, and virtually any business playing music for customers or employees.

Many business owners assume that because they've paid for a Spotify or Apple Music subscription, they're covered. This is wrong. Consumer streaming subscriptions do not include the rights to play music in commercial settings.

Music Licensing for Businesses (PPL and PRS)

Requirements and fees for playing music in business premises

PPL Licence (Recorded Music): Required if you play recorded music (CDs, radio, streaming) in public or at work
PRS Licence (Compositions): Required if you play or perform music (live or recorded) that is in copyright
Who needs both licences: Most businesses playing music need both PPL and PRS licences
Combined licence available: PPL PRS Ltd offers One Stop Music Licensing (single application)
Typical small business fee: £100 - £1,000 per year (varies by size, capacity, usage)
Fee calculation factors: Business type, floor area, customer capacity, music usage type
Licence duration: Annual (renewable each year)

How to apply for your music licence

The application process is straightforward, and you can complete it online in under 20 minutes.

How to Apply for Music Licence

Step-by-step process for obtaining PPL/PRS music licence

Check if you need a licence: You need a music licence if you play music in public, at work, or in business premises. This includes background music, radio, streaming services, live performances, or music for dancing.
Choose licence type: PPL covers recorded music (sound recordings), PRS covers musical compositions. Most businesses need both. Consider One Stop Music Licensing from PPL PRS Ltd for combined coverage.
Complete online application: Visit pplprs.co.uk and complete the online form. You'll need: business type and sector, premises size in square meters, customer capacity, and details of how music will be used.
Receive quote and pay: You'll receive a quote based on your business profile. Fees typically range from £100-£1,000 per year for small businesses. Pay online to activate your licence.
Display licence certificate: You'll receive a licence certificate. Display this at your premises (recommended but not mandatory). Keep certificate details for inspections.
Renew annually: Music licences are annual. You'll receive renewal reminders. Renew on time to avoid interruption and potential penalties.

MCPS licence for music reproduction

If your business reproduces music - manufacturing CDs, offering downloads, or streaming music as a product (not just playing it in your premises) - you may need an additional MCPS licence.

MCPS Mechanical Copyright Licence

Licence for reproducing and distributing music

What MCPS covers: Mechanical copyright - the right to reproduce music recordings
Who needs MCPS licence: Businesses manufacturing or distributing CDs, downloads, or streaming music
Operated by: MCPS (Mechanical Copyright Protection Society), part of PRS for Music
Standard royalty rate: 8.5% of dealer price (physical products like CDs)
Not needed for: Simply playing music in premises (that's PPL/PRS territory)
Application method: Register with MCPS via prsformusic.com, submit product details for licensing

Consequences of operating without a licence

Playing music without the correct licences is copyright infringement. PPL and PRS actively enforce their rights through inspections and legal action.

Penalties for Unlicensed Music Use

Consequences of operating without required music licences

Playing music without PPL licence: Civil legal action for copyright infringement plus backdated licence fees
Playing music without PRS licence: Civil legal action for copyright infringement plus backdated licence fees
Enforcement method: PPL and PRS conduct inspections and can take legal action
Backdated fees: May be charged for estimated period of unlicensed use
Legal costs: Businesses may also be liable for legal costs in addition to damages
Criminal prosecution: Possible for serious copyright infringement (unlimited fine, up to 10 years prison)

What about live music?

Live music may be exempt from premises licensing requirements in certain circumstances, but you still need PPL/PRS music licences for the musical compositions being performed.

Live Music Licensing Exemptions

When you don't need a licence for live music

Live Music Act 2012: Deregulated live music in many circumstances
Exempt capacity: Up to 500 people (audience)
Exempt hours: Between 08:00 and 23:00
Applies to: Live unamplified music and amplified live music on alcohol-licensed premises
Workplace music: Incidental music for employees (no audience) does not need licence
Community premises: Village halls, church halls, community centres have extended exemptions
Film soundtracks: Music incidental to film screening is exempt if film is licensed

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Content Graph

Guvnor

Obtain music licences for your business premises

When you need a music licence

How to apply for your music licence

MCPS licence for music reproduction

Consequences of operating without a licence

What about live music?

Compliance Assistant

🚧 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

◉ Content Graph

When you need a music licence

How to apply for your music licence

MCPS licence for music reproduction

Consequences of operating without a licence

What about live music?

Related guides in Music Licensing

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Content Graph