Music Licence Fines and Penalties in the UK

Playing copyrighted music in your business without a licence is against the law in the UK, and it is actively enforced. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, 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 £4.99 per month.

It is the law, and it is enforced

PPL PRS actively contacts businesses playing unlicensed music. They send letters, make phone calls, visit premises and use music recognition technology. Businesses are also reported by competitors and former staff. “Too small to notice” is not a real category.

What it costs when you are caught

If PPL PRS establishes you have been playing music without a licence, they can demand backdated fees for the entire period, up to six years under the Limitation Act 1980, and add a 50% surcharge on top to cover the cost of catching you. Persistent cases go to the High Court. Playing music without a licence is copyright infringement under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Real case: Two London bars let their PPL licence lapse and turned down a £5,000 settlement offer. The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court found copyright infringement, and the operator ended up paying about £60,000, most of it the rights holders’ legal costs (£44,587) plus damages (Phonographic Performance Ltd v Hagan [2016] EWHC 3076 (IPEC)).

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 PPL PRS 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 PPL PRS 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 the UK?

Yes. Playing commercially released music where customers can hear it is a public performance under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. 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?

If PPL PRS establishes you have been playing music without a licence, they can demand backdated fees for the entire period, up to six years under the Limitation Act 1980, and add a 50% surcharge on top to cover the cost of catching you. Persistent cases go to the High Court. Playing music without a licence is copyright infringement under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. 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 PPL PRS licence for that music. To be fully covered without one, play Melodial exclusively.