Playing music to customers is a public performance almost everywhere. This guide explains, country by country, which collecting societies license it, how the fee is worked out, and what the law says about music outside the societies.
Most European countries license the songs and the recordings separately, sometimes through one joint invoice. In many of them the recordings fee is collected by law through a society, even for music that is licensed directly.
The United States licenses only the compositions for venues, through four separate organizations. Canada, Brazil and Chile collect recordings fees only through a society, while Mexico, Argentina and Colombia rely more on the repertoire each society represents.
Japan has no recordings fee in shops yet, but a 2026 amendment will add one. Singapore, Israel and Australia license only the repertoire each body represents, with no mandatory collective rule found.
South Africa needs separate licences for songs and for recordings, and its law lets an agreement with the owner replace the recordings royalty.
Platform rules are a different question from venue licences: YouTube matches music automatically with Content ID, while Twitch and Kick act on DMCA notices, and TikTok and Meta limit commercial use of music.
Each country page names the societies, the licence a café, shop or hotel needs, how the fee is calculated, whether personal streaming is allowed, and what the law says about music outside the societies. Example fees are given only where an official figure was found, with its year, currency and period.
Where a point could not be confirmed, the page says it is unclear. In that case ask the local society in writing and keep its answer.
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, and no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society. The Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives a venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music. Each country page says plainly whether a society fee can still apply there.
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
In almost every country, yes, if the music is protected and customers or staff can hear it. Usually one licence covers the songs and another the recordings.
No. Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use only. Business music services and licences exist for venues.
That you pay once or by subscription and owe no royalties per use. The music is still copyrighted and comes with license terms.
Not always. In several countries, such as France, the recordings fee is due by law for any recording played in public.
Usually not. Most societies treat radio or TV played to customers as a separate public performance; the US has a narrow exception for small premises.
The authors' side for composers, lyricists and publishers, and the recordings side for performers and producers. Some countries combine them in one invoice.
Societies can claim back fees, often with surcharges, and in many countries courts can award damages or fines. Each country page lists what was found.
No. It summarises published rules checked in October 2026; confirm with the society before you decide.
