Do I need a music license?

Music plays a crucial role in setting the atmosphere in your establishment, business, or public venue. Naturally, music creators deserve fair compensation for their work. This is why you usually need a combined license from BumaStemra (composers/lyricists/publishers) and Sena (musicians/producers) to use music that can be heard by customers or employees. These music licenses are governed by copyright law and neighboring rights law.

You will require a license if one of the following statements applies to your business. If so, you can follow the steps to calculate the license fee and, if necessary, obtain a license.

  • The music is audible to customers, employees, and/or the public in a public space (including when using the radio).
  • The music is audible to more than two employees in non-public spaces (such as work areas, cafeterias, warehouses, and offices).
  • You use the music in or on a website, app, game, series, documentary, TV, radio, audiovisual production, or on CD, vinyl, or DVD.
 

When using music on location, first select your industry:

Hospitality
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Such as restaurants, cafes, snack bars, clubs, hotels, B&B, catering and recreation companies.
Shops
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Such as clothing, food, drugstores, pharmacies, gas stations, supermarkets and department stores.
Workspaces
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Such as offices, factories, warehouses, workshops and business premises.
Care
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Such as hairdressers, salons, practices (GP, physio, psycho, obstetrics), sports canteens, saunas and dance schools.
Online Radio
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Such as hobby or business radio stations and event channels.
Other
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Such as events, amusement arcades, schools, music clubs and healthcare institutions.

For all other situations involving the use of music, the BumaStemra licence guide will advise you which licence is appropriate. For media licences, licences for (dance) events and collective industry organisations, we refer you to Sena’s licence page.

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