Get a licence to play live or recorded music
You usually need to get a licence if you:
- play recorded music in public or at your business (including background music on a CD, radio or music channel)
- stage live music events in public (for example, a concert or festival)
- play live or recorded music in a theatre
- use sound recordings in a theatrical production (including on-stage and off-stage effects)
The licence you need is called ‘TheMusicLicence’.
You can also contact PPL PRS to check if you need a licence and get a quote.
PPL PRS Ltd
customerservice@pplprs.co.uk
Telephone: 0800 0720 808
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
You’re infringing copyright if you play live or recorded music in public without a licence. You could be sued for damages.
How much it costs
The cost of a licence varies. It’s based on things like:
- the venue where you play the music
- how the music is used
Who needs a licence
You usually need a licence to play live or recorded music in public - this includes in:
- shops
- offices and factories
- hairdressers and beauty salons
- cinemas and theatres
- hotels and guesthouses
- restaurants and cafes
- pubs, bars and nightclubs
- sports grounds and other sporting facilities (such as bowling alleys)
- gyms and other health facilities
- bingo halls and casinos
- social clubs and members’ clubs
- churches and halls
- public transport
You do not need a licence to play royalty-free music.
Check if your business or organisation needs a licence on the PPL PRS website.
The way you get a licence to play live or recorded music has changed. You now need a single licence from PPL PRS, instead of separate licences from PRS for Music and PPL.
Other ways of getting a licence
If the music you want to play is not managed by PPL PRS, you may need a licence from another licensing body.