Playing music for customers and staff helps enhance the atmosphere in your barbershop, creating an enjoyable environment and helping to define your brand. You might be wondering whether you need a music licence to play the tunes of your choice in your barbershop, so to help clear up any FAQs, we had a chat with Greg Aiello, Head of Commercial at PPL PRS Music - the UK's music licensing organisation.
“If music is played or performed within a barbershop, then chances are a music licence will be needed. TheMusicLicence, issued by PPL PRS ensures that businesses and organisations that use music have the legal permission to do so, while ensuring those who create it are fairly paid for their work,” says Greg.
Keep reading what Greg had to say to find out whether your barbershop requires a music licence...
How Much Does TheMusicLicence Cost?
The cost of TheMusicLicence varies depending on the type of business and the way that they use music. A barbershop that uses background music for their staff and customers could do so for around 89p per day.* It's worth noting that like most things, this cost has increased in recent years – in June 2021 this figure was around 76p per day.
Each business sector is licensed in accordance with legislated tariffs which cover businesses for the use of works from the repertoires of both the UK’s music rights societies, PPL and PRS for Music. All tariffs are available on our website. PPL represents record companies and performers, while PRS for Music represents songwriters, composers and music publishers. Collectively their repertoires cover virtually all commercially available music.
Who Does the Money Go To?
After our business costs, music licence fees are distributed as royalties to all those involved in making music, via our parent companies PPL and PRS for Music. This means that those people who write, perform, compose, record or publish music are fairly paid for their work. By purchasing TheMusicLicence, you are supporting the future of music by helping to ensure its creators are paid for their work, so that the people who write, perform and record it can continue making the music we all love.
What's the Payment Process?
TheMusicLicence is a rolling licence which is usually reviewed and invoiced annually. If you do not currently have a licence but are playing or thinking about playing music in your business, please visit PPL PRS Music by clicking here.
What Happens if I Don't Pay for a Licence?
It is important that your business is correctly licensed to ensure your premises remains legal and compliant. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, permission is needed from the relevant copyright holders – those who create, record and publish music – in order to play or perform music in public. TheMusicLicence gives businesses this permission in relation to millions of songs from grassroot to independent artists to some of the biggest names in the business. If you have questions about the use of music on your premises, visit PPL PRS Music by clicking here.
*A hair and beauty premise with 10 or fewer seats that plays music via TV or radio could play music for only 89p a day. Combined yearly licence £327.38 per annum (+VAT).
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