Which licences do i need to play background music in my restaurant. How much will it cost for a 42 seat room.?

Question

I've heard that i need to apply for more than 1 licence. Is it a legal requirement to purchase these licences? If so, has anyone ever been prosecuted for failing to do so. Quite frankly, I think it's scandalous and would do pretty much anything to avoid adding to my business overheads. I'd like to think that by playing music to my customers, I am infact giving the artistes etc free advertising of their recordings which is increasing their sales revenue. I'm hoping for a loop-hole to avoid payment.

Answer 1

I know in Ireland you have to get a licence from IMRO - Irish Music Right Organisation. The cost depends on the square footage of the premesis. The idea is the collection of royalties for songwriters for copyrited music.
I suppose soon we'll have to pay similar charges for wearing jewellery so the jewellery designer can be paid royalties, or wearing clothes, so the clothing designer can be paid royalties!
However it's not only legal, but you can be prosecuted for not being licenced.
Paying the songwriters should be inbuilt in the purchase of the CD's or whatever. I agree it's scandalous, how they ever got away with it is beyond me. That whole intellectual property seems a bit of a scam.
Good luck finding a loophole - I haven't been able to. The only way out that I can see is to play un-copyrited music only - which is not really practical.

Answer 2

I've never heard of anything so stupid in all my life. I don't think anyone has the right to charge you for playing background music.....I'd seriously be checking this one out, I think someone is pulling your chain. If you have your own cd's or that of friends that you can play, then there is no way, anyone can make you get a liscence......Im not sure of which contry your from but here in Australia we can play music in any cafe, restaurant in the background and do it for free.

Answer 3

You need two licences, web sites & details below.

http://www.prs.co.uk/ The PRS collects and distributes licence fees for the public performance and broadcast of musical works.


http://www.ppluk.com/ PPL is a music industry organisation
collecting and distributing airplay and public performance royalties in the UK on behalf of over 3,500
record companies and 40,000
performers.


The following link takes you to 'Business Link ' where there is an interactive page on how to establish what licenses etc you need to obtain/follow. Hope this helps! Good Luck with your venture!
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/sectorsSIMLandingPage;jsessionid=FcMQQQQ72wZF0W2BTQhRlGv1QnWrhx5wrHy34sWTYP1TMP4XTvK8!-1133178955!1159515344365?r.t=INT_PUBLICATION&r.i=1073793551&r.s=m

Answer 4

Hi

You need to contact PRS ( Performing Rights Society ), they have a web site, or contact them directly, answer a few questions, relating to the equipment you will be using, and the square meter of your business , they will calcalute the fee...They are very helpful. Cheers

Answer 5

if you want to advertise for artist try local artists, they are more likely to agree to a fee-free play. Depending on where you live, you may or may not have a ready stock of good local musicians. Also actually having live musicains is always a plus in my book if I am going out to eat somewhere.

Answer 6

You need permission, you can't just play it. Its like a radio station, they pay per play.

Answer 7

You can contact the PRS in the uk,

http://www.prs.co.uk/