Yes, You Need a Music License.
Here's the Cheapest Way to Get One.

If your customers or staff can hear music, you need a license. But you don't need to spend hundreds or thousands on one.

Short answer: yes, almost certainly.

If you play music that customers or staff can hear — whether it's from Spotify, the radio, a USB stick, CDs, or any streaming service — you need a license to play it commercially. This applies to businesses of all sizes, in every country.

Without the right license, you're exposed to serious penalties — backdated fees, damages, and legal costs. Collecting societies like OneMusic actively investigate and pursue businesses that play unlicensed music.

Wondering what happens if you don't? See the real penalties businesses face for playing music without a licence in your region.

Does my situation require a license?

🎵 Playing Spotify in my shop

Spotify's terms only cover personal use. Playing it in a business is a violation — even with Premium.

⚠ License required

📻 Playing the radio

Radio broadcasts require a commercial license if played where customers can hear it.

⚠ License required

💿 Playing CDs or USB music

Buying music gives you personal use rights. Playing it commercially requires a separate license.

⚠ License required

📱 Playing YouTube or Apple Music

Same as Spotify — personal streaming services prohibit commercial use.

⚠ License required

🔇 No music at all

No music means no license needed. But your customers might prefer some background ambience.

✓ No license needed

🎧 Playing Melodial

Melodial owns every track. Your subscription is your commercial license — no additional fees required.

✓ License included

What does a music license normally cost?

This is where it gets expensive. Traditional licensing means paying your local collecting society — and then paying separately for the music itself.

Country Collecting Society Typical Annual License Cost
Australia OneMusic (APRA AMCOS + PPCA) $900–$5,000+
United Kingdom PPL PRS (TheMusicLicence) £400–£3,000+
United States ASCAP + BMI + SESAC + GMR $800–$5,000+
Netherlands Buma/Stemra + Sena €500–€3,000+
Germany GEMA €500–€5,000+

And that's just the license. You still need a music source on top — a separate streaming subscription.

There's a much cheaper option

Melodial includes both the music and the license in a single subscription. Because we own or directly license every track in our catalog, you don't need to pay any collecting society.

Traditional Licensing Melodial
Music license $900–$5,000+/yr Included
Music source (streaming) Paid separately on top Included
Paperwork & reporting Required None
Certificate of Compliance Not provided ✓ Instant download
What you pay Licence + a music subscription Only $99.99/yr

You save hundreds or thousands every year.

Get licensed in 3 minutes

1
Subscribe to Melodial — only $9.99/month, one flat price for your region. No contracts, cancel anytime.
2
Play Melodial exclusively — switch off Spotify, radio, or CDs. Use our streams, playlists, or mobile app.
3
Download your Certificate of Compliance — official proof that your music is fully licensed for commercial use.

But is it really legal?

Yes. We own or directly license every track in our catalog. None of our music is registered with any collecting society — not APRA AMCOS, not PPL PRS, not ASCAP, not BMI, not GEMA, not SACEM, not Buma/Stemra, and not any other collecting society worldwide.

No royalties to collect means no license fees to pay. Your subscription is your license.

Certificate of Compliance included. Every subscriber gets an official certificate proving your music is fully licensed for commercial use. If any licensing body contacts your business, show them the certificate.

Frequently asked questions

What if I just play the radio?
You still need a license. Playing radio in a business counts as a "public performance" of copyrighted music. Collecting societies can and do pursue businesses for this.
What if I use Spotify Premium?
Spotify's terms of service explicitly prohibit commercial use. Even with a Premium subscription, you need a separate public performance license — and that's hundreds or thousands per year on top of your Spotify subscription.
Can I play YouTube music in my business?
No — same issue. YouTube's terms don't cover commercial use. Playing YouTube in a business is copyright infringement.
What's the cheapest music license available?
Melodial. For only $9.99/month in your region, you get both the music and the license. The next cheapest option is typically a separate music subscription plus a collecting society licence costing hundreds a year on top.
My business is really small. Do I still need a license?
Yes. There is no size exemption. Even a one-person shop or a small waiting room needs a license if music can be heard. With Melodial, your subscription covers any single premises regardless of size.
What if a collecting society contacts my business?
Show them your Melodial Certificate of Compliance. It proves your music is fully licensed and not part of any collecting society's catalog. If they continue to press, email us at info@melodial.com and we'll help you respond.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. No contracts, no cancellation fees. Go to your account page and click Manage Subscriptions. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period.

Get licensed today — only $9.99/month

Don't risk a fine. Get fully licensed background music for your business in under 3 minutes. No card required for the free trial.

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