How to Play Music Legally in Your Business

A complete guide to your options — from the traditional (expensive) way to the modern (affordable) way.

ℹ You have two legal options:

Option A: Traditional route: Get a public performance licence from your country's collecting society (OneMusic, PPL PRS, ASCAP, GEMA, etc.), then pay separately for a music source. Total cost: $500–$5,000+/year.

Option B: Direct licence route: Use a service like Melodial that owns all its music and includes the licence in the subscription. Total cost: from $9.99/month ($119.88/year).

Both are fully legal. Option B saves you hundreds or thousands per year.

Option A: The traditional way

This is how most businesses have been doing it for decades. You need two things:

Step 1 — Get a public performance licence

Contact your country's collecting society and apply for a licence. They'll charge you based on your business type, premises size, and how you use music.

Step 2 — Get a music source

The licence only covers the right to play music — it doesn't include the music itself. You need to pay separately for a streaming service, radio, or CDs. That's another $120–$360+/year.

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other personal streaming services do not cover commercial use. Their terms of service explicitly prohibit playing music in a business. Even with a paid subscription, you still need the licence from your collecting society on top. Learn more →

Total cost for Option A: $420–$5,360+/year depending on your country and business type. Plus paperwork, annual renewals, and potential audits.

Option B: The modern way — Melodial

Melodial is a music streaming service built specifically for businesses. We own or directly licence every track in our catalogue — none of our music is registered with any collecting society anywhere in the world.

That means your subscription includes both the music and the licence. No collecting society fees. No separate licence application. No annual paperwork.

1
Subscribe to Melodial — from $9.99/month. No contracts, cancel anytime.
2
Play Melodial exclusively — stream from your phone, tablet, laptop, or any device. 20+ genres, thousands of tracks.
3
Download your Certificate of Compliance — instant proof you're fully licensed. Show it to anyone who asks.

Total cost for Option B: $99.99/year (AUD). Everything included.

Certificate of Compliance included. Every Melodial subscriber gets an official certificate proving your music is fully licensed for commercial use. If any collecting society, licensing inspector, or landlord asks about your music licence, show them the certificate.

What NOT to do

Don't play Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube. These are personal services — commercial use violates their terms and doesn't replace a performing rights licence. You'd be breaking the rules twice.

Don't assume the radio is free. Playing the radio in a commercial premises requires a licence. The radio station's licence only covers the broadcast, not your business.

Don't ignore it and hope for the best. Collecting societies like APRA AMCOS and OneMusic employ inspectors, send letters, use music recognition technology, and file lawsuits. Fines can reach tens of thousands per song. It's not worth the risk when legal alternatives start at $9.99/month.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free way to play music legally in my business?
The only completely free option is silence — or playing music you've composed yourself. Any commercially produced music requires either a collecting society licence or a directly licensed service. Melodial starts at $9.99/month, which is the closest to free you'll find for a legal, hassle-free solution.
What about "royalty-free" music from the internet?
The term "royalty-free" is widely misunderstood. It doesn't mean free — it typically means you pay once and don't owe ongoing royalties. But the licence terms vary wildly. Many royalty-free tracks only cover YouTube videos or podcasts, not physical playback in a business. Unless you've verified the specific licence terms for every single track, you could still be at risk.
My landlord says the shopping centre has a music licence. Am I covered?
Usually not. A shopping centre's licence typically covers common areas (hallways, food courts). Your individual shop or restaurant within the centre needs its own licence for music played inside your premises. Check with your landlord, but don't assume you're covered.
Do I need a licence if only staff can hear the music?
Yes, in most countries. In the UK and Australia, playing music for employees counts as a public performance and requires a licence. In the US, it depends on the number of employees and the size of the premises, but most businesses still need licences from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
How does Melodial avoid collecting society fees?
We own or directly licence every track in our catalogue. None of our music is registered with any collecting society — not OneMusic, not PPL PRS, not ASCAP, not GEMA, and not any other collecting society worldwide. No royalties to collect means no licence fees to pay. Your subscription is your licence.
What kind of music does Melodial have?
Thousands of tracks across 20+ genres — café acoustic, jazz, chill pop, lo-fi, upbeat dance, ambient, wellness, R&B, funk, and more. All professionally produced and curated for commercial environments. No explicit lyrics. Listen now →

Play music legally from $9.99/month

Music and licence included. No OneMusic (APRA AMCOS + PPCA) fees. Start your free trial today — no card required.

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