I want to play music at my business or government office lobby; how do I get a license?

Intellectual Property Comments (0)

If you own an establishment and you want to play music, what you need are public performance rights– the right to play music that the general public will hear. Obviously, a business owner would go crazy if he or she had to obtain public performance writes from every artist or label.

Most musicians, composers and publishers join one of three performing rights organizations: (a) American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); (b) Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI); and (c) SESAC, Inc. These organizations grant licensees the right to publicly perform the works of all of their members or affiliates on behalf of whom the organizations collect and distribute royalties for the licenses granted.

Each of these organizations provides a myriad of different licensing options depending on your need. It may be useful to consult with an attorney regarding the license terms.

About:  Dr. Rayan F. Coutinho is an Intellectual Property and Technology Law attorney at the law firm of Wood & Lamping LLP and can be reached at 513-852-6030 or by email at rfcoutinho@woodlamping.com.

admin @ August 19, 2009