Music Copyright Law – Does It Apply To Your Special Events?

In another case, a 56 year old woman was given the shock of her life when they told her that her singing while she was stacking a shelf in the supermarket was considered a public performance and she would have to stop singing or pay for a license.

Even institutions such as the Police in England have had problems as well as giants as big as YouTube when it come to Music Copyright Law.

Technically if you work from home and you play music at the same time, you could be breaking the law!

Absurd as it seems, but these are just a handful of some of the true cases being considered right now for breaking the Music Copyright Law.

So how does this affect you when you are having a special event or conference?

The PRS in England states on their webpage: “wherever you want to stage a live event you will need to obtain the correct license before the event” and this covers, but not limited to:

Concert Venues
Festivals
Theater
University
Hotels and other Live venues

Every country has different Music Copyright Law, but essentially they are similar in that if you are holding a public performance you will need a license to play any music content what-so-ever.

So what constitutes a public performance?

Anything that is considered “outside of your normal domestic circle or home life” is considered public.

This would clearly include concert halls, hotels or any commercial space in anyway, even the walk way on the path outside of your home!

Many venues such as hotels and function rooms, concert halls, etc already have a public performance license and they automatically renew it each year, however if you are playing music, as the organizer you maybe held responsible for the breach of the Music Copyright Law if they have not applied, renewed or received the license so before you have your event ask to see a copy of the license for your peace of mind.

Now you may think that it is completely insane for a taxi driver to have to pay to listen to the radio in his car, but he could be in trouble!

If you are having an event, then make sure that you are not going to have problems with the Music Copyright Law and protect yourself.

Note that the license also applied at events such as your office Christmas party or any function that is held within your company facilities.