What is a Christmas Music Licence?
While you may think that having to fork out for a licence to play Christmas music over the festive season is a bit of a scourge move, having a music licence is necessary in order to ensure that singers, song writers and producers are distributed royalties fairly and above all else, legally.
Having Christmas music being played in your business can help improve moral among staff, can cheer up grumpy customers and can generally get everyone in the mood for the festive season. What is a busy supermarket or a cluttered shopping centre during the month of December without the jingles of Mariah Carey or Wham to give you some festive cheer on Christmas.
To take advantage of the festive atmosphere that Christmas music can bring during this season, it is recommended that business owners take advantage of the Christmas Music Licence during the most wonderful time of the year and have themselves, their staff and their customers a very merry Christmas.
WARNING - Playing music in public without a licence is illegal and infringing copyright laws. You could be sued for damages if you do not have an appropriate licence.
How to apply for a Christmas Music Licence
The UK's two music licensing organisations are PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and PRS (Performing Right Society for Music). Previously, businesses had to obtain separate music licences from PPL and PRS for Music. The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 states you need to get permission from the copyright holder to ‘perform’ music in public.
PPL and PRS have combined their services together to form PPL PRS Ltd. The Music Licence grants permission to perform music in public. This means that you will be legally authorised to play Christmas music in your place of business.
To apply for a Christmas Music Licence, applicants will need to apply via PPL PRS Ltd