Understanding Business Music Licensing in the UK

Everything you need to know about playing music legally in your shop, café or commercial space in the UK, and how to avoid unnecessary fees.

The simple rule: public vs personal

When you play music in a business, it is legally classified as a public performance under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Personal streaming accounts like Spotify or Apple Music only cover private, non-commercial use. To stay legal, a business must have a commercial licence that compensates the owners of the musical works. Traditionally, that meant paying annual fees to PPL PRS, which sells TheMusicLicence on behalf of PPL and PRS for Music.

Common misconceptions

Playing the radio. Even though the broadcast is free, playing it for customers requires a commercial performance licence in almost every country, including the UK.

Consumer apps. Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music terms strictly prohibit business use. Using them commercially violates copyright law.

Personal media. Buying a CD or digital track grants a private use licence only. Commercial use is a separate legal requirement.

Two ways to get a licence

Feature	Traditional licensing	Melodial (direct)
Licence source	PPL PRS	Direct from Melodial
Annual cost	High, and variable by size (£151 to £5,755 or more per year)	Flat £4.99 per month
Reporting	Play logs may be required	Automatic, none needed
Compliance proof	Paperwork	Digital Certificate of Compliance

The Melodial solution

Melodial simplifies the process by owning or directly licensing every track in the catalogue, which means the music is not registered with any collecting society worldwide. When you subscribe, your fee covers both the music player and the legal right to play that music in your business: a single, all-in-one solution for compliance.

Every account includes an official Certificate of Compliance that proves your music is fully licensed for commercial use, protecting you from local agency inquiries.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a public performance of music?

Any playback of recorded music where customers or staff can hear it in a commercial setting. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this requires a licence regardless of the source: radio, CDs, streaming or TV.

Why do personal streaming subscriptions not cover my business?

Their terms of service restrict use to private, non-commercial listening. Business playback requires public performance rights they do not grant.

What is direct licensing?

A model where the rights holder grants your business permission directly. Melodial owns or directly licenses its whole catalogue, so your subscription is your licence and no PPL PRS fees apply.