Music Playlists

Playing music in your pub, club, hotel, restaurant, retail centre, health club or any commercial environment can be an integral element in the success of your business. It sets the mood and creates a relaxed, happy and enjoyable atmosphere. Different types of music will attract different customers and encourage them to stay longer…spending more!

Did you know there are penalties for copying or playing music without the copyright owners’ permission, including damages and fines? So how can you be sure you are doing the right thing? Remember this one simple rule. Every time you copy or play music in your business you should be paying two separate licenses.

To “copy” music onto a device you are required to pay ARIA (Artists and Record Companies) and AMCOS (Composers and Writers). This is called a Reproduction License.

To “play” the music from your device you are required to pay PPCA (Artists and Record Companies) and APRA (Composers and Writers). This is called a Public Performance License.

There are many questions surrounding PPCA Free music. This is a relevant topic as you can potentially save thousands of dollars by not paying PPCA fees.

PPCA Free music is unknown singers doing covers of songs and Independent Artists not affiliated with the PPCA.

PPCA Compliant music has been licensed direct from a number of record companies to commercial music providers. You pay the record company a smaller fee directly through the music provider.

In any event you are still required to pay APRA because the songs were written by Composers and Writers all of whom are affiliated with APRA.

Using commercial music providers is probably the safest way to play music in your business. Music providers already pay the Reproduction License to “copy” the music. You will only need to pay the Public Performance fees to “play” the music.

Over the past 5 years technology has changed the music industry and the way royalties are paid. Streaming has turned things around for the record companies and given exposure to artists that you may not have come across on the radio.

For personal use streaming is the number one way people are discovering new and old artists and their songs. More and more streaming companies are becoming available to us and at the same time more and more are falling by the way side.

Streaming music into a commercial environment is not legal. Unless you use a provider with all of the relevant commercial licenses covered for streaming music from their playlists. Almost all of the music streaming services is for personal use only.

There are some interesting music solutions becoming available to businesses these days. Will streaming music be the future of playing music in a commercial environment in Australia? I guess it depends on your internet connection!

I think the future of music playing in venues and commercial businesses will come down to customizing playlists for that environment. That personal touch people are craving in this digital era.

Ongoing project management of music playlists. Plain and simple good, relevant music playing all of the time. Music that becomes your business brand and the memorable experience your patrons and customers will look forward to each time they visit your premises.

Music matters in business. It can really make a difference. Playing music always requires licenses to do so. If in doubt ask your music provider or even put a call into APRA or the PPCA.