Public Performance Licensing 101: Learn In 5 Minutes

Although we briefly explained what a public performance license is and the basic protection and permission it grants above, let's dive even deeper into this subject to give you a better and complete understanding of how exactly it works:

A public performance license is an agreement between a music user (business) and the owner of a copyrighted composition or song (musician) that grants permission to play the song in public, online, or on radio. This permission is also called public performance rights, performance rights, and performing rights. This right was designed to enable and encourage music creators to receive compensation for the music they create.

As further explained on the ASCAP website, “A public performance is one that occurs either in a public place or any place where people gather (other than a small circle of a family or its social acquaintances). A public performance is also one that is transmitted to the public; for example, radio or television broadcasts, music-on-hold, cable television, and by the internet.”

Businesses or entities such as clubs, restaurants, venues, stores, or any other public place who plays music for the public to hear will be required to get a public performance license. The license is typically handled and obtained by the business owner or whoever is in charge of running the establishment. 

​​A public performance also occurs when music is transmitted to the public, via radio, TV broadcasts, digital service providers, and any other means. So, certain digital platforms and radio stations are required to have a license as well. 

A public performance license is required no matter how small a portion of the song you use. If you are an artist performing or playing your own music, this is an exception where a public performance license is not required. You don't need a public performance license for songs that you wrote yourself or songs that are in the public domain.

Business owners in the United States should contact the three Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) that handle all public performance licensing in the United States,  to inquire about obtaining public performance licenses. 

The PROs or right agencies (ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC) handle all public performance licensing in the United States. To inquire about obtaining a public performance license, business owners and entities should contact these three organizations. 

Each PRO controls a different catalog of songs, so it’s essential to contact all three of these agencies to ensure you are steering clear from trouble in the future. You can find the contact information on all three of their websites along with a further explanation on how to actually obtain one.

Public performance license fees for each PRO vary and are based on different factors including the type of business, venue capacity, business hours, method of music transmission, and number of live performances. On average, the annual license fee can range from $300 to $500 for a small business. For very large establishments, these fees can be as much as $9,000 per location per year. Furthermore, if you are interested in playing music from multiple PROs, you will have to negotiate public performance licenses with each PRO separately.

Typically, public performances related to educational activities, nonprofits, and worship services (that aren’t being broadcasted) are exempt from licensing requirements. Also, public performance license fees do not apply if the business is playing music from a radio or television broadcast. However, this is subject to certain venue sizes, music player restrictions, and if there are any fees being charged to the customers. 

If you are still in question on whether or not you fall in or out of one of these categories, play it safe and contact each of the three PROs mentioned above.

Performing rights organizations are responsible for collecting performing rights royalties on behalf of copyright holders of musical works AKA on behalf of the musicians. Therefore, all three organizations actively seek out to target businesses for unauthorized public performance of copyrighted music. 

If your business doesn’t have it’s required license, this legally means you are committing copyright infringement and are subject to penalty. Every situation of infringement is different and we are not here to give you legal or business advice. However, if you are caught on this violation, do expect some unfavorable results. 

Whether it be fines to pay, bad press, or legal action taken against you such as being sued — there is a much greater cost to you and your business in the long run that the yearly cost of licensing fees. Will you get caught? Maybe or maybe not, but it is always safer and smarter to do the right thing and avoid any bigger trouble in the future.