In Brazil one central office, ECAD, collects public performance rights for both musical works and recordings, by law. A business playing music pays ECAD, usually monthly.
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| ECAD | Escritório Central de Arrecadação e Distribuição | Single office by law for public performance of works and phonograms |
| Associations | Seven collective management associations (e.g. UBC, ABRAMUS) | Run ECAD and set its criteria |
Article 99 of Law 9.610/98 makes ECAD the single central office that collects public performance rights for musical works and phonograms, covering authors, publishers, performers and producers. ECAD is run by seven collective management associations.
Article 68 paragraph 3 of the law lists bars, shops, restaurants, hotels and clinics among places of collective frequency. The permanent ECAD licence covers all musical works and phonograms in the collective management system, with no limit on the number of works. Commercial establishments pay monthly by bank slip (boleto).
Under ECAD's collection regulation (revised 10 August 2026), venues without defined music revenue are priced in UDAs (Unidade de Direito Autoral) per square metre of the area covered by sound, or by capacity. The price varies with the degree of music use (low, medium or high), the activity sector, and socio economic and population discounts. Hotels are priced by rooms and occupancy rate, and where music events generate revenue a percentage of gross revenue applies.
Recorded and live music are priced separately; live only use gets a one third reduction because no related rights are due. The UDA value is R$ 107.31, valid until December 2026. ECAD has an online simulator (login required). No single example fee was confirmed for this guide.
Consumer plans of Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are licensed for personal, noncommercial use under their own terms, so a private account is not a license to play music to customers.
ECAD's FAQ says that using a streaming playlist, radio or TV in an establishment requires paying ECAD, because each mode of use is independent under Law 9.610/98 and public retransmission needs a new payment.
Collection of public performance rights is done through ECAD by law, and ECAD acts in court on behalf of right holders. ECAD's regulation provides a proportional reduction for works in the public domain, individually licensed works or works under a non collective licence, but explicitly for shows and events, with documentation and the full repertoire list sent 48 business hours in advance. Whether this applies to permanent background music licences is not stated.
ECAD's regulation also says that the use of artificial intelligence systems does not remove or restrict the charge. In practice the venue carries the burden of documenting a fully non represented repertoire.
Article 109 sets a fine of twenty times the amount originally due for unlawful public performance; article 109 A adds 10% to 30% for missing or false information, and article 110 makes venue owners, managers and lessees jointly liable with organisers.
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
In Brazil fees for recordings and works are collected only through ECAD, and ECAD's reduction for individually licensed music is written for shows and events, not clearly for background music. A Brazilian venue should expect ECAD to keep charging and should ask ECAD in writing, with the Dr.DIO certificate and track list, whether a reduction applies.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
It depends on the sound covered area or capacity, the sector, the degree of music use and local discounts, priced in UDAs (R$ 107.31 until December 2026). ECAD's online simulator gives an estimate.
Restaurants are priced by the same UDA method, by area or capacity and level of music use; if music events generate revenue, a percentage of gross revenue can apply. Use the ECAD simulator for a figure.
Yes, ECAD has an online simulator, which requires a login.
Yes. ECAD says streaming playlists, radio or TV played in an establishment require payment, and personal Spotify plans are for personal use only.
ECAD's regulation reduces the charge for public domain or individually licensed works only for shows and events, with documentation. For background music this is not stated, so ask ECAD in writing.
Article 109 of Law 9.610/98 sets a fine of twenty times the amount originally due, plus 10% to 30% for missing or false information.
