Copyright-Free In-Store Music: How It Works, the Legal Landscape & Your Options
If you run a shop, café, gym, hotel, clinic, or any public venue where music is audible to customers and staff, your use of music is considered a public performance. This guide explains how public performance laws work, the role of PROs/CMOs (performing rights and collective management organizations), how neighbouring rights differ from composition rights, and how you can legally play copyright-free music in your business with predictable costs and proper documentation.
For an end-to-end solution built specifically for businesses, see: Royalty-Free In-Store Music – No Copyright.
What Is a Public Performance (and Why It Matters)
Definition & Basic Principle
Music becomes a public performance when it is played in a setting beyond a purely private or domestic circle—such as a shop floor, dining area, reception, treatment room, or gym studio. In this context, the right to publicly perform a piece of music belongs to the rightsholders. Depending on the jurisdiction, this typically includes the composer/songwriter/publisher for the musical work and, in many territories, the performer/producer/label for the sound recording.
Why Businesses Are Asked to Pay
Performing rights organizations and collective management organizations license the public performance of music and collect fees that are later distributed to rightsholders. If your business plays music that is part of those repertoires, you are expected to obtain a license or use a service that has already cleared the necessary rights on your behalf. Without proper coverage, a business may face claims, fines, or demands for back-payments.
Consumer Streaming ≠ Business License
Personal streaming subscriptions (e.g., consumer tiers of streaming platforms) are typically licensed for private listening only. Their terms generally prohibit public performance in commercial spaces. A business-ready source is required—either through direct licensing or a provider that grants public performance rights for its catalog.
The Two Layers of Rights You Must Understand
1) The Musical Work (Song / Publishing / Performing Rights)
The composition—melody and lyrics—is protected separately from any recording. Public performance of the song usually requires clearance administered by PROs/CMOs (e.g., ASCAP/BMI/SESAC in the U.S., PRS in the UK, GEMA in Germany, SACEM in France, EDEM in Greece, etc.). A blanket license from these organizations typically covers large catalogs of songs.
2) The Sound Recording (Master / Neighbouring Rights)
The recorded performance—what you actually hear on the speakers—may trigger neighbouring rights in many countries (often managed by separate CMOs from the composition side). This means that playing a commercial recording publicly may require coverage for both the composition and the recording.
Digital Transmissions & Streaming Contexts
In some jurisdictions, laws recognize specific public performance rights for recordings in digital transmissions (e.g., webcasts, internet radio). This adds another layer when you stream content into your venue and underlines why business-fit solutions are recommended.
How Collection Societies (PROs/CMOs) Operate
Blanket Licensing
PROs/CMOs commonly offer blanket licenses that grant the right to publicly perform any work in their represented repertoire. Because each organization controls different catalogs, multi-license coverage may be needed in some countries to ensure that all played music is covered. Fees can depend on the venue size, capacity, number of speakers, and business type.
Reciprocity & Territoriality
Organizations often have reciprocal agreements with counterparts in other countries. However, licensing remains territorial: the relevant local societies typically manage usage in their jurisdiction. This is why global chains often face a patchwork of requirements—unless they use catalogs designed to be independent of PRO/CMO collection.
Global Overview: Examples of Public-Performance Organizations
Below is an infographic-style summary of notable organizations. This is a non-exhaustive snapshot intended for quick orientation.
| Region | Composition (PRO/CMO) | Recording / NR |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ASCAP, BMI, SESAC | SoundExchange (digital); other NR contexts vary |
| United Kingdom | PRS for Music | PPL |
| Germany | GEMA | GVL |
| France | SACEM | SCPP / SPPF |
| Greece | EDEM | GEA; AUTODIAHEIRISI |
| Spain | SGAE | AIE / AGEDI |
| Canada | SOCAN | Re:Sound |
| Australia / NZ | APRA AMCOS | PPCA (AU); Recorded Music NZ |
| Japan | JASRAC | CPRA-related |
| Italy | SIAE | SCF |
The infographic groups examples by composition and recording rights to help you see at a glance why many venues historically needed multiple licenses. A direct-licensed, PRO-independent catalog is built specifically to avoid these overlapping obligations.
Why Royalty-Free / Direct-Licensed Catalogs Are Attractive
Simplified Legal Compliance
A catalog designed for in-store playback—where neither the songs nor the recordings are registered with PROs/CMOs—means you can play music without paying public-performance fees to those organizations. The provider holds or controls the necessary rights directly and grants you permission for public performance.
Predictable, Low Cost
Instead of variable fees influenced by your floor size, visitor count, or number of speakers, a direct-licensed service offers a single, predictable price per location per year.
License PDF & Certification
A signed license (in your business name) serves as proof of permission. Keep it alongside invoices and your operations manual so staff can present it during inspections or inquiries.
Exclusivity & Control
Many direct-licensed catalogs are produced exclusively for the service and are not published on consumer platforms. This reduces the chance of third-party claims and keeps compliance clean.
Key Risks, Misconceptions & Legal Pitfalls
“Royalty-Free” ≠ “No Legal Structure”
“Royalty-free” means you don’t owe ongoing public-performance payments to PROs for the provider’s catalog. It doesn’t mean “free” or “unprotected.” You still hold a license with terms (scope of use, locations, duration). Always keep the license and follow the stated conditions.
Mixing Sources Can Re-introduce Liability
If you combine a direct-licensed stream with unlicensed commercial tracks, the presence of those commercial recordings may trigger obligations to PROs/CMOs. Keep your in-store system locked to your cleared source and document the setup.
Short Clips Still Count
Using only “a few seconds” of a commercial track doesn’t automatically excuse public-performance obligations. Claims may still apply.
AI Music Considerations
AI-assisted catalogs can be compliant if the provider fully owns/controls the compositions and recordings and does not register them with collection societies. What matters is the provider’s rights posture and the exact license they grant your business.
Practical Compliance Checklist
Step-by-Step
- Audit your current source: Identify whether you are playing commercial tracks that require PRO/CMO licenses.
- Choose a direct-licensed catalog: Confirm the provider’s music is not registered with PROs/CMOs for public performance.
- Get a business-named license PDF: Ensure the document includes your legal entity and store locations as needed.
- Standardize playback: Use the provider’s web player or designated app to keep usage compliant and traceable.
- Keep records handy: License PDFs, invoices, and a short SOP for staff (“What we play & where it comes from”).
- Avoid mixing sources: Do not intersperse consumer streaming or unlicensed playlists with your direct-licensed stream.
- Plan for new locations: When adding stores or expanding abroad, ensure your license scope covers them.
FAQs
Do I always need licenses from ASCAP/BMI/PRS/GEMA/etc.?
Not if you exclusively play a catalog that is specifically licensed for public performance without PRO/CMO collection—i.e., the tracks are not registered with those organizations and your license grants in-store playback rights.
Can I use my personal Spotify/Apple Music account in a shop?
Generally no. Consumer plans are for private listening and typically prohibit public performance in business premises.
What about public domain music?
Even if a composition is public domain, a modern recording may still be protected by neighbouring rights. You need a recording that’s also cleared for public playback.
How do inspections work?
If approached by an inspector or society representative, present your signed license PDF and indicate your source (e.g., your direct-licensed in-store radio service). Keep documents accessible to managers and floor staff.
Does store size or number of speakers matter?
With traditional PRO licensing, those factors can influence fees. With a direct-licensed catalog priced per location per year, costs are usually fixed, which simplifies budgeting.
How Our Service Fits In
Built for Compliance
Our in-store catalog is designed to be independent of PRO/CMO collection. We control or directly clear both the musical works and the recordings so you can play them publicly without separate performance fees.
Predictable Annual Pricing
One annual fee per location covers your playback rights. No hidden charges, no back-dated demands, and no complex negotiations per track.
Signed License & Documentation
You receive a business-named license PDF and certification that you can present to authorities. Our documentation is written for clarity and fast verification.
Ready to simplify compliance and costs? Visit: Royalty-Free In-Store Music – No Copyright.
Conclusion
Public performance law divides music into two layers—compositions and recordings—and many countries collect for both. Traditional routes require multiple licenses and ongoing fees. A purpose-built, direct-licensed catalog avoids those complexities, providing legal certainty, clear documentation, and predictable annual pricing. Standardize your in-store music with a compliant, royalty-free solution and keep your team focused on the customer experience—not on licensing puzzles.