Music License Fines and Penalties in the US

Playing copyrighted music in your business without a license is against the law in the US, and it is actively enforced. Under the US Copyright Act (Title 17), playing commercially released music where customers can hear it is a public performance. Without the right license, 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 license in one subscription for US$6.99 per month.

It is the law, and it is enforced

The US performing rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR) actively contact businesses playing unlicensed music. They send letters, make phone calls, send representatives to listen in person and use music recognition technology. A license from one PRO does not protect you from the others, because each represents a different catalog. “Too small to notice” is not a real category.

What it costs when you are caught

In the US there is no single “fee” for getting caught. The PROs sue for copyright infringement in federal court. Statutory damages run from US$750 to US$30,000 per song, and up to US$150,000 per song if the infringement is willful, plus the rights holders’ attorneys’ fees.

Real case: A Florida tavern ignored BMI’s warning letters and played just five songs without a license. A federal court found infringement, upheld on appeal, and awarded roughly US$17,000 in statutory damages, treble the license fees the bar had refused, plus BMI’s attorneys’ fees and a court injunction (Broadcast Music, Inc. v. Evie’s Tavern Ellenton, Inc., No. 8:11-cv-2056 (M.D. Fla.), aff’d 11th Cir. 2014).

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 mislabeled track can still get you caught.

How Melodial removes the risk completely

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

Your Melodial subscription is your license. 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 the PROs 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 license in the US?

Yes. Playing commercially released music where customers can hear it is a public performance under the US Copyright Act (Title 17). Without the right license 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?

In the US there is no single “fee” for getting caught. The PROs sue for copyright infringement in federal court. Statutory damages run from US$750 to US$30,000 per song, and up to US$150,000 per song if the infringement is willful, plus the rights holders’ attorneys’ fees. The cost of being caught dwarfs the cost of the license.

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 license, backed by a downloadable Certificate of Compliance.

What if I also play some chart music or radio?

Then you still need a license from the PROs for that music. To be fully covered without one, play Melodial exclusively.