Music Licence Fines and Penalties in New Zealand

Playing copyrighted music in your business without a licence is against the law in New Zealand, and it is actively enforced. Under the Copyright Act 1994, 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 NZ$9.99 per month.

It is the law, and it is enforced

OneMusic New Zealand actively contacts businesses playing unlicensed music. They send letters, make phone calls and visit premises, and 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

OneMusic New Zealand can bring copyright infringement proceedings under the Copyright Act 1994. Courts can award back licence fees, damages and legal costs that go well beyond what the licence would ever have cost, along with orders that stop you playing music altogether.

Real case: A New Zealand bar and restaurant played music without a licence and ignored OneMusic. In 2018 the High Court found flagrant infringement and ordered it to pay NZ$22,606, the NZ$4,606 licence fee it had skipped plus NZ$18,000 in additional damages, along with costs and an injunction (APRA v 3228 Business Ltd [2018] NZHC 3088).

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 OneMusic 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 OneMusic 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 New Zealand?

Yes. Playing commercially released music where customers can hear it is a public performance under the Copyright Act 1994. 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?

OneMusic New Zealand can bring copyright infringement proceedings under the Copyright Act 1994. Courts can award back licence fees, damages and legal costs that go well beyond what the licence would ever have cost, along with orders that stop you playing music altogether. 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 OneMusic licence for that music. To be fully covered without one, play Melodial exclusively.