WHY DO BARBERSHOPS NEED THEMUSICLICENCE?

Playing music for customers and staff helps enhance the atmosphere, create an enjoyable environment and helps to define your brand. Greg Aiello (Head of Commercial at PPL PRS Music answers some of your FAQs.

“If music is played or performed within a barbershop, the chances are TheMusicLicence will be needed. The MusicLicence, 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.

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 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: pplprs.co.uk. PPL represents record companies and performers, while PRS for Music represent 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 pplprs.co.uk/getthemusiclicence or call us on 0800 086 8804.

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 www.pplprs.co.uk/getthemusiclicence or call 0800 086 8804.

*A barbershop with 10 or fewer seats that plays music via TV or radio could play music for only 76p a day. Combined yearly licence £279.85.