Question 1

I need a copy of my invoice

Accepted Answer

You can request a copy of your invoice using our online form.

Get a copy of my invoice

Question 2

Do I need to renew my licence?

Accepted Answer

For most customers (unless for example it is for a one-off event), TheMusicLicence renews automatically each year. Where music is a key aspect of the business (i.e clubs, fitness etc) we will contact you to conduct a manual review to understand any changes in your music usage. 

We will let you know in advance what royalties are due for the next licence period. It's important that you let us know about any changes in your music usage, as this may affect how much you need to pay. Please refer to TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions for more information.


Need more information?
Terms & Conditions
Should you wish to speak to us regarding your renewal, amend usage, or update your information, please get in touch with our Customer Service Team and an adviser will take you through your licence renewal. 

0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 3

Can I spread the cost of my licence?

Accepted Answer

You can spread the cost of your licence with a Direct Debit.



To set up a direct debit please contact our Customer Service Team.


 

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 4

Can I notify you about a business that might not have a licence?

Accepted Answer

If you know of a business that you believe to be playing or performing music without a valid music licence, you can let us know.

Need to make a payment?
Let us know

Question 5

I am interested in working for PPL PRS

Accepted Answer

We are a passionate team who truly believe in protecting the value of music. So, if you’re a determined individual who is dedicated to providing quality customer service, solving problems and seeing projects through to completion, you sound like our kind of Band Member.


You can learn more about working for PPL PRS and view our vacancies online. 

 

Interested in working with us?
Vacancies

Question 6

I am a music creator and would like to become a member

Accepted Answer

PPL PRS collect royalties on behalf of our parent companies when their members’ work is played or performed in public. PPL and PRS for Music will continue to represent their members and take enquiries relating to membership and royalties.

 

Are you a music creator?
Learn more

Question 7

Who are PPL and PRS for Music?

Accepted Answer

Our parent companies PPL and PRS for Music are both collective management organisations. They issue licences and collect royalties for certain uses of copyright-protected music, on behalf of their many thousands of members. They then distribute those royalties to members.






PPL represents record companies and performers for the use of recorded music, while PRS for Music represents songwriters, composers and music publishers for the use of musical compositions and lyrics (for both recorded music and live performances).


PPL and PRS for Music have set up PPL PRS Ltd to offer a single joint music licence, on behalf of them both, for playing and performing music in public.



PPL and PRS for Music will continue to carry out everything else they do separately. This includes representing their members, collecting royalties from international societies, developing, setting and consulting on their tariffs and licensing schemes, and licensing their broadcast, online and recorded media customers.

Question 8

Who is PPL PRS Ltd?

Accepted Answer

PPL PRS Ltd is a new company, equally owned by PPL and PRS for Music. It has been created to provide customers with a streamlined music licensing service – TheMusicLicence – with a single point of contact to make it easier to legally play and perform music in public.



Previously, businesses and organisations would have had to purchase two separate licences from PPL and PRS for Music instead.

 

Looking for more info?
Learn more

Question 9

I'm thinking of cancelling TheMusicLicence

Accepted Answer

Whatever your business – coffee shop, beauty or hair salon, cocktail bar or restaurant, clothing retailer - music has the potential to enhance the experience you provide to your customers and employees.



TheMusicLicence ensures you are legally entitled to play and perform millions of commercially-released songs and recordings, from the UK and around the world.


However, if you're thinking of cancelling your licence, please contact our customer service team on:
0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 10

What happens if I continue to play or perform music without a licence, or without paying the applicable fees?

Accepted Answer

It's your responsibility to ensure that you are properly licensed for any music use taking place at your business or organisation.

Playing or performing music without the appropriate licence could amount to copyright infringement. If we have reason to believe that you are using copyright music without an appropriate licence, then we may collect evidence.

When taking out TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS Ltd, your rights and obligations are set out in the TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions, including your obligation to pay a royalty and to provide us with information required under the applicable tariff to assist us in calculating that royalty.

If any payments under the licence become overdue, we will contact you by post, email or telephone. If appropriate, we may refer the account to our enforcement team or a debt collection agency. In some cases we may even terminate your licence, which may then lead to legal action for copyright infringement.

More information is available in TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions.

Need more information?
View here

Question 11

My business/organisation has closed, how do I cancel my licence?

Accepted Answer

If you have been using music but your business or organisation is now closed, or is due to close, you are able to cancel you licence by writing to us. As per TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions, your licence will terminate at the end of your current licence year so long as you write to us at least one month prior to the end of your current licence year.

Please contact our Customer Services Team.

 


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808

8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 12

I have paid for my licence, what happens next?

Accepted Answer

Once you have paid for your licence or arranged a direct debit, you will be legally permitted to play or perform the vast majority of commercially released music from around the world, in accordance with TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions.



Need more information?
View here





Your licence confirmation will be sent to you either via email or post (depending on your chosen communication method). 
If you would like to change your preferred communication method, please our Customer Services Team.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





If you have requested to receive your communication via post, then you will receive a window sticker to show you have TheMusicLicence for your premises, which we hope you will proudly display this in your business.

If you would like to request a sticker for your premises, please complete TheMusicLicence Sticker Request Form.

Get a window sicker
Get sticker






For most customers (unless for example it is for a one-off event), TheMusicLicence renews automatically. We will let you know in advance what royalties are due for the next licence period. 


It's important that you let us know about any changes in your music usage, as this may affect how much you need to pay as outlined in TheMusicLicence terms and conditions. 
If you need to amend or update your music usage, please our Customer Services Team.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808

8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 13

Why have a received a letter from a Debt Collection agency?

Accepted Answer

Where businesses or organisations are using music which require a music licence, it's important to obtain and pay for TheMusicLicence so that you can use the music lawfully and so that the music creators can be fairly paid. 


If payment for TheMusicLicence has not been made by the due date outlined on your invoice, we will attempt to contact you again to remind you that payment is due. If we do not hear from you, and payment has still not been made, you may be contacted by a specialist third party debt collection agency regarding payment of the outstanding balance.



If you have been contacted by a debt collections agency please contact them using the details they will have provided to make payment. 


If you have any questions regarding your invoice, the benefits music can bring, or the legal requirements for TheMusicLicence, please contact our Customer Service Team.


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 14

What is a minimum charge?

Accepted Answer

PPL and PRS for Music apply minimum fees to their tariffs. The fee is applicable as there is a cost attributable to PPL and PRS for Music for the administrative effort in licensing organisations. 
The minimum fee ensures these costs are not paid from the revenue collected from licensees.


As PPL and PRS for Music continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other, the minimum fee is also set separately.


For PPL the minimum fee is applicable to each licensee irrespective of the tariff they are licensed under. This fee increases annually in line with RPI and is currently [£51.66] plus VAT.


PRS for Music have a minimum charge which is specific to each tariff. You are able to find the minimum charges by viewing the tariffs here.


Please note that a minimum fee is only applied to a licence once per year.

 

View tariffs

Question 15

Why might a surcharge apply to certain tariffs?

Accepted Answer

A number of PPL’s tariffs are subject to a 50% surcharge to discourage unlicensed music use and late payment of royalties, and to compensate for the associated costs. 


It's important to pay your invoice in full by the due date, otherwise a surcharge may be applied to your account if your licence is based on one of these tariffs. 


If a surcharge is applied, a separate surcharge invoice will be issued.

Question 16

What is a back charge?

Accepted Answer

If you have been playing or performing music before you obtain TheMusicLicence, we may include appropriate charges for prior music usage on your invoice. This is to ensure that you are correctly licensed for that prior usage.

Our ability to apply back charges in this way arises from the fact that playing or performing music without the appropriate licence in place is copyright infringement. Legally, business or organisations infringing copyright in this way can be liable to pay for up to six years' prior music use.

If you have any queries about how or why a back charge has been applied, please contact our Customer Service Team.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808

8am–6pm, Monday–Friday
We offer Direct Debit payment plans to help you spread the cost of TheMusicLicence.

Question 17

What is a Higher Royalty Rate?

Accepted Answer

Your licence fee payments (or “royalties”) are based on published terms and prices (known as “tariffs”). PPL and PRS for Music set their tariffs separately from each other, with a range of different tariffs to cater for different business types and different ways of using music.


Certain PRS for Music tariffs may apply a 50% increase on the applicable standard rate under those tariffs for the first year of the licence. This increase, known as a Higher Royalty Rate, would only apply if you were playing music without the appropriate licence, before being contacted by PPL PRS Ltd. It is applied to help cover our costs of identifying and contacting businesses and organisations using music without a licence.




After the first year of your licence, royalties will be payable at the applicable standard rate under the relevant tariff.

 
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Team.

Call us to find out more
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 18

Will the amount I pay for my licence change as a result of switching to TheMusicLicence?

Accepted Answer

PPL and PRS for Music have launched TheMusicLicence to make music licensing simpler for their customers, but they continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other.

Those tariffs are then applied by PPL PRS Ltd when issuing TheMusicLicence to customers. PPL and PRS for Music will each continue to review the cost of their respective tariffs from time to time, but the launch of TheMusicLicence has not in itself affected the costs under those tariffs.

If you already had both licences, then the amount you will pay will not change as a result of switching to TheMusicLicence (though it may be slightly different from what you paid previously to reflect changes in usages and any adjustments provided for by the applicable PRS for Music and PPL tariffs).

However, some businesses or organisations may have previously only purchased one of these two licences (either from PPL or PRS for Music) even where they legally required both licences. If this applies to you, then it is likely that TheMusicLicence will cost more than you paid before, as it will give you the legal permission you need (but did not previously have) from both PPL and PRS for Music.

View the tariffs and find out more about how the cost is calculated.

Learn more

Question 19

What are the bank details to pay by BACS/CHAPS?

Accepted Answer

For BACS or Faster Payment, please use our account details below, quote your Payment Reference as specified on your remittance advice:



Barclays Bank Plc

Account Number: 33835170 

Sort Code: 20-78-98



Please allow the following time for payments to clear:



BACS: 5 working days 

Faster Payment: 1 working day


Important: 

Please quote your Payment Reference as specified on your remittance advice. Without this information we are unable to process your payment.


Need to make a payment?
Pay here

Question 20

Can I pay by Direct Debit?

Accepted Answer

You can spread the cost of your licence with a Direct Debit. 


To set up a direct debit please contact our Customer Service Team.

 


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808

Question 21

Can I pay my invoice online?

Accepted Answer

If you've already been sent an invoice, you can pay for TheMusicLicence quickly and securely online via sage pay.

 

Need to make a payment?
Pay online

Question 22

Can I pay my invoice online?

Accepted Answer

If you've already been sent an invoice, you can pay for TheMusicLicence quickly and securely online via sage pay.

 

Need to make a payment?
Pay online

Question 23

How can I pay my invoice?

Accepted Answer

Pay online

If you've already been sent an invoice, you can pay for TheMusicLicence quickly and securely online via sage pay. 



Please click on Pay Online to pay your invoice.





Direct Debit

You can spread the cost of your licence with a Direct Debit. Please our Customer Service Team to setup a direct debit.





BACS/CHAPS

For BACS or Faster Payment, please use our account details below, quote your Payment Reference as specified on your remittance advice:



Barclays Bank Plc

Account Number: 33835170 

Sort Code: 20-78-98



Please allow the following time for payments to clear:



BACS: 5 working days 

Faster Payment: 1 working day


Important: 

Please quote your Payment Reference as specified on your remittance advice. Without this information we are unable to process your payment.




 


Need to make a payment?
Pay here

Question 24

I need a copy of my invoice

Accepted Answer

To request a copy of your invoice, please complete the invoice copy request form and we will arrange for the invoice to be sent to you.

 

Get a copy of your invoice
View form

Question 25

I am hosting an event and I need to submit a setlist to you

Accepted Answer

If you are a venue that is hosting a live event and have been asked to submit a setlist, you can do this by email or post.

Please use the details below to send your set list to us:

Email:

livemusic@pplprs.co.uk

Post:

Live Music (setlist submission)

PPL PRS Ltd

Mercury Place

St George's Street

Leicester

LE1 1QG

Question 26

Charity & Community Discount

Accepted Answer

Charity and community organisations may apply for a discount against the standard royalty made for events or featured music sessions in certain circumstances. 


Before you apply for Charity and Community Discount, please make sure that you have read the qualification criteria for a possible discount.




Your organisation may be eligible for a discount
Learn more

Question 27

I am hosting an event, do I need a licence?

Accepted Answer

New Customers

If you don’t currently have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation, but are planning an event that includes the playing or performing of music in public, we can arrange for a temporary permit to cover the music usage at the event.Contact us to set up TheMusicLicence.


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday



Existing licence holders

If you already have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation and need to include an event on your music usage, please contact us and we can amend your music usage in your existing licence to ensure you are legally covered for the music at your event.


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





Live music venues

If you are a live music venue, or you're planning frequent events, such as music festivals, Theatre productions or pantomimes, etc. you will need to set up TheMusicLicence.Contact our Live Music Team to arrange TheMusicLicence.



Speak to our friendly team today
0208 338 1407


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 28

My business/organisation has closed, how do I cancel my licence?

Accepted Answer

If you have been using music but your business or organisation is now closed, or is due to close, you are able to cancel you licence by writing to us. As per TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions, your licence will terminate at the end of your current licence year so long as you write to us at least one month prior to the end of your current licence year.

Please contact our Customer Services Team.

 


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808

8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 29

Can I change my preferred communication method?

Accepted Answer

To change the way we contact you in the future, you will need to update your preferred communication method, please contact our Customer Services Team.

 


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 30

How do I amend my music usage?

Accepted Answer

It's important that you let us know about any changes in your music usage, as this may affect how much you need to pay.

Please refer to TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions for more information.

Need more information?
View here


Alternatively, please contact us to discuss your music usage.
0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 31

I have taken over the business/premises and need to change the account/licence information

Accepted Answer

If your business or organisation has new ownership, it is important to update this information on TheMusicLicence for your business. 


Please contact our Customer Service Team and we can update the information on your account and ensure that you are correctly licensed.

 

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 32

My business/organisation has moved, how do I change the address on my account?

Accepted Answer

If your business or organisation has changed its address, it's important that you contact us so that we can update the information on your account and ensure that you are correctly licensed.

 


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 33

When will my licence be renewed?

Accepted Answer

For most customers (unless for example it is for a one-off event), TheMusicLicence renews automatically each year. Where music is a key aspect of the business (i.e clubs, fitness etc) we will contact you to conduct a manual review to understand any changes in your music usage. 

We will let you know in advance what royalties are due for the next licence period. It's important that you let us know about any changes in your music usage, as this may affect how much you need to pay. Please refer to TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions for more information.


Need more information?
Terms & Conditions




We will contact you about your licence renewal but, if you prefer, please get in touch with our Customer Service Team and an adviser will take you through your licence renewal.
Alternatively, please contact us to discuss your music usage.

0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 34

What is a minimum charge?

Accepted Answer

PPL and PRS for Music apply minimum fees to their tariffs. The fee is applicable as there is a cost attributable to PPL and PRS for Music for the administrative effort in licensing organisations. 
The minimum fee ensures these costs are not paid from the revenue collected from licensees.


As PPL and PRS for Music continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other, the minimum fee is also set separately.


For PPL the minimum fee is applicable to each licensee irrespective of the tariff they are licensed under. This fee increases annually in line with RPI and is currently [£51.66] plus VAT.


PRS for Music have a minimum charge which is specific to each tariff. You are able to find the minimum charges by viewing the tariffs.


Please note that a minimum fee is only applied to a licence once per year.

 

View tariffs

Question 35

Will the cost of the PPL and PRS for Music tariffs be different under TheMusicLicence?

Accepted Answer

PPL and PRS for Music have launched TheMusicLicence to make music licensing simpler for their customers, but they continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other.
Those tariffs are then applied by PPL PRS Ltd when issuing TheMusicLicence to customers. 


PPL and PRS for Music will each continue to review the cost of their respective tariffs from time to time, but the launch of TheMusicLicence has not in itself affected the costs under those tariffs.

 


View tariffs

Question 36

Why have I received a letter from a Debt Collection agency?

Accepted Answer

Where businesses or organisations are using music which require a music licence, it's important to obtain and pay for TheMusicLicence so that you can use the music lawfully and so that the music creators can be fairly paid. 


If payment for TheMusicLicence has not been made by the due date outlined on your invoice, we will attempt to contact you again to remind you that payment is due. If we do not hear from you, and payment has still not been made, you may be contacted by a specialist third party debt collection agency regarding payment of the outstanding balance.



If you have been contacted by a debt collections agency please contact them using the details they will have provided to make payment. 

If you have any questions regarding your invoice, the benefits music can bring, or the legal requirements for TheMusicLicence, please contact our Customer Service Team.

 


0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 37

What is a Higher Royalty Rate?

Accepted Answer

Your licence fee payments (or “royalties”) are based on published terms and prices (known as “tariffs”). PPL and PRS for Music set their tariffs separately from each other, with a range of different tariffs to cater for different business types and different ways of using music.


Certain PRS for Music tariffs may apply a 50% increase on the applicable standard rate under those tariffs for the first year of the licence. This increase, known as a Higher Royalty Rate, would only apply if you were playing music without the appropriate licence, before being contacted by PPL PRS Ltd. It is applied to help cover our costs of identifying and contacting businesses and organisations using music without a licence.




After the first year of your licence, royalties will be payable at the applicable standard rate under the relevant tariff.

 
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Team.

0800 0720 808


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 38

How much does TheMusicLicence Cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of TheMusicLicence for a particular business or organisation depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the business or organisation and the ways it uses music.



Things like the size of a business are measured in different ways under different tariffs, depending on what is appropriate for each business type. So, to calculate your fee, we may need you to provide information such as square meterage, number of employees, or venue capacity. We may also need to know the types of devices you use to play recorded music, and information about any live performances of music.





PPL and PRS for Music will continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other. Those tariffs will be applied by PPL PRS Ltd when issuing TheMusicLicence to customers. PPL and PRS for Music will each continue to review the cost of their respective tariffs from time to time, but the launch of TheMusicLicence will not in itself affect the costs under those tariffs.





Learn more

Question 39

What is TheMusicLicence?

Accepted Answer

TheMusicLicence allows you to legally play and perform music in your business, whether through the radio, TV, other digital devices and/or live performances.



If you play or perform music in your business or organisation in the UK, you will usually need TheMusicLicence. It will cover you, with one licence and one invoice, for the use of virtually all commercially released music available – millions of songs and recordings, including the most popular and well-loved music not just from the UK, but also from around the world.


Learn more

Question 40

Do I need TheMusicLicence?

Accepted Answer

If you play or perform music in your business or organisation, the chances are you need TheMusicLicence.



Under The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, permission is needed from the relevant copyright holders – those people who create music – in order to play or perform music in public.




Obtaining TheMusicLicence gives you this permission, in relation to the vast majority of commercially available music. This ranges from grassroots and independent artists and composers through to the biggest names in the business.




The music is only for the employees, do I still need TheMusicLicence?

Even if you are only playing music in your business or organisation for employees, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.


Music that's played outside of a domestic environment is classed as a public performance, even if the music can only be heard by employees in the workplace, canteen or staff areas. 


TheMusicLicence gives you permission to play music in your business or organisation for your employees.If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday




I work alone, do I still need TheMusicLicence?

If you are using music in a business or organisation that has employees, customers or visitors to the premises then you will usually need TheMusicLicence.


PPL and PRS for Music do however operate a discretionary policy whereby they do not apply a charge to homeworkers (within a private residence working on their own) or for workplaces with only one worker, where music is not made available to any visitors/customers coming onto the premises.

If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday






I only play the radio, why do I need TheMusicLicence?

If you are playing the radio in your business or organisation, you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence. Although the radio stations pay both PPL and PRS for Music for the right to broadcast, it does not include playing the radio in public, such as business premises.



TheMusicLicence allows you to legally play music for employees, customers or visitors in your business or organisation.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.


Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





I only use the TV to play sports, why do I need a TheMusicLicence?

Sports programming uses more music than people realise, such as opening and closing titles, highlights and featured sequences as well as the advertisements during commercial breaks. You'll therefore usually need TheMusicLicence to use the television for showing sports and other programming in public.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





I already have a TV licence, why do I need TheMusicLicence?

It is easy to forget that music is used all the time within TV programmes, advertisements during commercial breaks and other broadcasts. A TV licence only allows you to receive the broadcast signal for the television. 


If you wish to use the TV in public, such as at your business premises, you will usually need TheMusicLicence to cover the music included in those programmes.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





I have music on my telephone on hold system, do I need TheMusicLicence?

If you are using commercially-released music on your telephone system in your business or organisation, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.



The music on your telephone system is being played for your customers and is classed as public performance. In some cases, PPL and PRS for Music have agreements in place with telephone on hold music suppliers who provide you with TheMusicLicence as part of the service they offer.
If you're unsure about whether you need a licence, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





I use music at an educational establishment, do I still need TheMusicLicence?

If you are using music in an educational establishment, including nurseries, pre-schools, playgroups, crèches, schools, sixth forms, colleges or universities, please contact us to discuss your music usage so we can ensure you are correctly licensed.If you are unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday





I use a royalty free music supplier, do I still need a licence?

TheMusicLicence covers virtually all commercially released music available. Where you have chosen not to use that music, there are a number of circumstances where you may not need TheMusicLicence.



If you do not think that the music you use is covered by PPL PRS you should ask for confirmation from your supplier. If you then forward the confirmation through to us, we will update our records.
If you are unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday






I use international music, do I need TheMusicLicence?

Not only do PPL and PRS for Music represent millions of musical compositions and recordings from UK artists and music creators. They also represent international artists and music creators through over 100 affiliated societies, that all operate under reciprocal agreements, in over 150 different countries around the world.



The royalties collected are passed to the relevant overseas society who will in turn pay the artists and music creators. So, if the international music is covered by a reciprocal agreement, you will require TheMusicLicence. 


You can use the PPL and PRS for Music repertoire searches to see what music is covered.
If you are unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday




If I have already purchased the music, why do I need to pay for a licence?

Purchasing music either digitally on a CD, record or tape permits you to listen to it at home for your personal use. However, if this music is played outside your home as a public performance, then you’ll usually need TheMusicLicence.
If you're unsure about whether you need TheMusicLicence for your music, please contact us.

Speak to our friendly team today
0800 086 8820


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 41

I am a new customer and would like to get TheMusicLicence

Accepted Answer

Ready to play music? Great! 


Now all we need are some details from you so we can get in touch, set up TheMusicLicence and have you playing music in no time.

Get TheMusicLicence


8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

Question 42

How much does TheMusicLicence cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of TheMusicLicence for a particular business or organisation depends on a number of factors, such as the size of the business or organisation and the ways it uses music.



Things like the size of a business are measured in different ways under different tariffs, depending on what is appropriate for each business type. So, to calculate your fee, we may need you to provide information such as square meterage, number of employees, or venue capacity. We may also need to know the types of devices you use to play recorded music, and information about any live performances of music.



PPL and PRS for Music will continue to set their respective licensing tariffs separately from each other. Those tariffs will be applied by PPL PRS Ltd when issuing TheMusicLicence to customers. PPL and PRS for Music will each continue to review the cost of their respective tariffs from time to time, but the launch of TheMusicLicence will not in itself affect the costs under those tariffs.




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Question 43

What does playing or performing music 'in public' mean?

Accepted Answer

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.



Broadly speaking, this includes any presentation of music outside of a domestic setting. For example, it will include using music in the following ways as part of your business or organisation (for the benefit of customers and/or employees): playing recorded music via any device including the radio; showing TV broadcasts or other audio-visual content containing music; or putting on live performances of music.



All these uses of music will usually require permission from the copyright holders and TheMusicLicence will give you that permission, covering the vast majority of commercially-released music.


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Question 44

Is it just 'another' form of Tax?

Accepted Answer

The fees payable for TheMusicLicence are not a form of tax.



We work on behalf of our parent companies, PPL and PRS for Music, who between them, represent thousands of music creators whose music is protected by copyright, and whose permission is therefore needed in order to play or perform music in public.



When businesses and organisations purchase TheMusicLicence, after deduction of our business costs, all of the licence fees collected flow back to PPL and PRS for Music to process, allocate and distribute royalties to the music creators they represent.

Learn more about PPL and PRS for Music and where the money goes

Where does my money go?

Question 45

What are the Terms and Conditions of TheMusicLicence?

Accepted Answer

You can view TheMusicLicence Terms and Conditions online. 

Terms & Conditions

Question 46

Why should I play music in my business?

Accepted Answer

Whatever your business – coffee shop, beauty or hair salon, cocktail bar or restaurant, clothing retailer or offices, factories and workplaces - music has the potential to enhance the experience you provide to your customers, visitors and employees.



The music you play can be as much a part of your brand image as your logo. It could be the deciding factor for a customer when choosing between you and your competitors!



Purchasing TheMusicLicence for your music usage ensures you are legally entitled to play millions of commercially released songs and recordings from all over the world. And in doing so, you are also helping the writers and performers to be fairly rewarded for their work.

Get TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation and put the essential energy of music at the heart of your business!
Get TheMusicLicence

Question 47

I need a licence or permit for an event?

Accepted Answer

New customers
If you don’t currently have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation, but are planning an event that includes the playing or performing of music in public, we can arrange for a temporary permit to cover the music usage at the event.

Please contact us to arrange a temporary permit for your event.

0800 0868 820
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday



Existing customers
If you already have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation and need to include an event on your music usage, we can amend your music usage in your existing licence to ensure you are legally covered for the music at your event.

Please contact us to amend your music usage.
0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday



Charity & Community Events
Charity and community organisations may apply for a discount against the standard royalty made for events or featured music sessions in certain circumstances. 


Before you apply for Charity and Community Discount, please make sure that you have read the qualification criteria for a possible discount.
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Question 48

I need a licence or permit for an event?

Accepted Answer

If you already have TheMusicLicence for your business or organisation and need to include an event on your music usage, please contact us and we can amend your music usage in your existing licence to ensure you are legally covered for the music at your event.
0800 0720 808
8am–6pm, Monday–Friday

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What is TheMusicLicence?

Playing music legally

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