Music Licence Fines and Penalties in Europe

Playing copyrighted music in your business without a licence is against the law in Europe, and it is actively enforced. Under national copyright law in each EU member state, playing commercially released music where customers can hear it is a public performance. Without the right licence, you are infringing copyright, whether the music comes from the radio, a CD, a TV or a streaming app. Melodial removes the risk entirely: the music and the licence in one subscription for €6.99 per month.

It is the law, and it is enforced

National collecting societies actively contact businesses playing unlicensed music. Inspectors visit premises in person and document unlicensed playback, and societies also use letters, phone calls and music recognition technology. “Too small to notice” is not a real category.

What it costs when you are caught

Your national collecting society licenses public performance and pursues unlicensed businesses for back fees and damages under national copyright law. Inspectors visit in person and document unlicensed playback, and persistent cases end up in court.

Real case: A French restaurant refused a licence of about €300 a year. In 2024 a Bordeaux court ordered the business, and its manager personally, to pay the evaded royalties plus damages and costs, several times the licence it had turned down (Tribunal judiciaire de Bordeaux, 2024).

Personal streaming makes it worse

Using Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud or YouTube in your business? A personal or premium account does not cover commercial use. Every one of these services prohibits it in their terms, so playing from your own account in a café, shop or gym is still unlicensed public performance, and it leaves a clear record of commercial use on a consumer account.

Even “royalty free” music is not a safe shortcut. Here is why one mislabelled track can still get you caught.

How Melodial removes the risk completely

Melodial owns or directly licenses every track in its catalogue. None of the music is registered with your national collecting society or any other collecting society, so there are no royalties for them to collect and no licence for you to buy from them.

Your Melodial subscription is your licence. One payment covers the music and the commercial rights for a single stream, playing through as many speakers as you like at one location.

Certificate of Compliance included. Download your official certificate from your account at any time. If your national collecting society or any licensing body contacts your business, show them the certificate. And if you need help responding, forward the email to Melodial and the team will draft the reply.

Get compliant in three steps: sign up for a free trial (no credit card required), pick a playlist from 50+ options across 24 genres, and download your Certificate of Compliance.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really illegal to play music without a licence in Europe?

Yes. Playing commercially released music where customers can hear it is a public performance under national copyright law in each EU member state. Without the right licence it is copyright infringement, regardless of intent.

I have not been contacted. Does that mean I am fine?

Not necessarily. Licensing bodies monitor businesses through visits, phone calls, music recognition technology and social media, and they can pursue past unlicensed use once they identify it.

Can they really charge me for the past?

Your national collecting society licenses public performance and pursues unlicensed businesses for back fees and damages under national copyright law. Inspectors visit in person and document unlicensed playback, and persistent cases end up in court. The cost of being caught dwarfs the cost of the licence.

How does Melodial make me compliant?

Melodial owns or directly licenses every track, and none of the music is registered with any collecting society, so no fees are owed to them. Your subscription is your licence, backed by a downloadable Certificate of Compliance.

What if I also play some chart music or radio?

Then you still need a licence from your national collecting society for that music. To be fully covered without one, play Melodial exclusively.