If you play music in your business, you most likely need permission.
As an owner or manager of any type of business, it’s your responsibility to comply with all licensing and regulatory requirements.
Finlay’s in Kalbarri, winner of a OneMusic Excellence award in 2022.
Most businesses know they need a liquor licence or local Council permission to display an A-frame on the footpath, but few realise permission is also needed to play music.
Permission is needed to play music that is protected by copyright in a commercial setting – pubs, shops, gyms, dance schools, salons, cafes, factories and everything in between. This applies to any size of business.
By getting the correct permission – in the form of a licence – you can avoid infringing the law. The rights of music creators are protected in Australia by the Copyright Act (1968).
By getting permission you are not only preventing the risk of legal action, but also ensuring music creators are getting compensated for their work.
How to meet your music licensing obligation
OneMusic provides licences for Australian businesses to play the music typically heard on radio, TV and music-streaming services, or music bought online or in music stores.
A OneMusic licence covers the majority of commercially released music, worldwide.
Their website covers the variety of licences that apply to different industries, the Federal law behind the need for a licence, and an ecommerce facility so busy small business owners can obtain a licence at a time that suits them.
Streaming music
While subscribing to a music streaming service or purchasing a CD allows you to play the music for personal enjoyment, it does not permit you to play it in a commercial setting.
A business can find out more through the Australian Copyright Council, their industry Association and WA Small Business Development Corporation.
