Who licenses what
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| Koda | Koda | Composers, songwriters and publishers; collects for Gramex |
| Gramex | Gramex | Performing musicians and record labels |
Dr.DIO · Music license in Denmark
Music licence for a shop, café or restaurant in Denmark
In Denmark Koda's music licence covers both Koda (composers and publishers) and Gramex (musicians and record labels) for background and live music.
Which license a café, shop or hotel needs
The Koda music licence, joint with Gramex, covers background and live music in shops, cafés and restaurants, with add ons for live music and DJs. Koda collects for Gramex in most areas. Disputes go to the Copyright Licence Tribunal.
How the fee is worked out
Background music is priced by the size of the area where music is played for customers or guests. Live and DJ events are priced per event under the framework agreement with Horesta, Dansk Erhverv and DRC (from 1 July 2023). Koda's calculator at kunde.koda.dk gives a price; no example fee is given here.
Can I play Spotify or YouTube in my business?
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. Koda says that when streaming you should choose a service approved for commercial use, and links a list of such services.
Music outside the collecting societies
Koda says businesses using a professional provider that plays only music not managed by Koda or Gramex do not pay for public performance.
As generally described, section 68 of the Danish Copyright Act gives performers and producers a right to remuneration for public performance of published sound recordings, claimable only through a joint organisation (Gramex), which may cover non member recordings. The venue should therefore be able to document that the recordings are outside Gramex's scope. The section number was not verified again for this guide.
Dr.DIO in Denmark
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.
Koda says music not managed by Koda or Gramex costs nothing for public performance, but the section 68 remuneration is claimable only through Gramex and may reach non member recordings. Keep the Dr.DIO certificate and ask Koda in writing whether any Gramex fee applies to Dr.DIO recordings.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
Official sources
- Koda: https://www.koda.dk/
- Gramex: https://gramex.dk/
- Koda + Gramex licence page: https://koda.dk/en/get-your-music-license/faq-koda-music-license
- Koda: https://koda.dk/en/get-your-music-license/why-do-i-have-to-pay-for-music
- Koda: https://www.koda.dk/music-users
- Danish Copyright Licence Tribunal: https://kum.dk/fileadmin/_kum/2_Kulturomraader/Ophavsret/Ophavsretslicensnaevnet/Ophavsretslicensnaevnets_kendelser/Sag_89.pdf
About this guide
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.
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Questions
What does a music licence for a shop cost in Denmark?
It depends on the size of the area where music is played; Koda's calculator at kunde.koda.dk gives the price.
Do I need Koda and Gramex for background music in a café?
One Koda music licence covers both Koda and Gramex.
What does Koda cost for a shop?
Use Koda's online calculator; the fee is based on the area with music.
Is it allowed to play Spotify in a shop?
No. Koda says to use a streaming service approved for commercial use.
What is the Koda price for a restaurant?
Background music by area; live and DJ events per event under the Horesta framework agreement.
Do I pay Koda for royalty free music?
Koda says no, if a professional provider plays only music not managed by Koda or Gramex. Keep documentation for the recordings side.