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Types of Music Licenses

Music licenses give a person or organization permission to publicly perform a particular piece or catalog of music. A public performance includes any time the music is played in a public area or at a public gathering. Licensing is handled in large part by The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI). There are over 100 types of licenses that these organizations offer.

  1. Coverage

    • Both ASCAP and BMI offer "blanket licensing," which means that a single license covers the thousands of works within their catalog.

    Entertainment Centers

    • There are licenses available for all kinds of entertainment centers, from bowling alleys and theme parks to movie theaters and tractor pulls. Sports centers are also required to hold a license for use specifically at basketball, hockey, tennis or football games, and other sporting events. Even restaurants and motels who play tapes or have jukeboxes are required to have a license if the music can be heard in a public area.

    Radio and TV

    • Any radio or TV broadcast must obtain a license. This includes broadcasts over websites and podcasts as well. Licensing goes beyond the limits of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

    Ensembles

    • Any music ensemble, aside from those at an educational institution, needs to have a license to perform previously written works.

    Penalties

    • The penalties for using songs without permission can range from $750 to $30,000 per song, depending on the severity of the offense.

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