Since 1 January 2016 Irish businesses get one Dual Music Licence from IMRO that covers the musical works (IMRO) and the sound recordings (PPI) with one invoice.
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| IMRO | Irish Music Rights Organisation | Musical works; also agent for PPI's licence |
| PPI | Phonographic Performance Ireland | Sound recordings (record producers) |
| RAAP | Recorded Artists Actors Performers | Performers' equitable remuneration |
IMRO issues the Dual Music Licence for itself and as agent of PPI. It covers musical works and sound recordings in one licence and one invoice. IMRO says the licence is required for all businesses using copyright music, whatever their size, including for TV and radio.
Tariffs depend on the size of the business and how music is used on the premises. No example fee was confirmed for this guide; IMRO provides the tariff for your sector.
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. IMRO states the licence is needed even for radio and TV in a business; no IMRO statement on streaming specifically was found.
Section 38 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 lets a user play sound recordings in public as of right by paying a licensing body (PPI) on notice. This is a statutory licence route, but the law does not oblige anyone to use it; the copyright owner can still license directly.
Performers' rights are satisfied by equitable remuneration under section 208, shared between producers and performers. No statutory presumption that IMRO represents all works was found. Whether performers keep a claim where a producer licenses directly depends on the contract, so keep the producer's licence and performer clearances in writing.
Penalties were not officially documented in the sources checked; disputes about licensing schemes may go to the Controller of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
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.
Irish law lets the owner license recordings directly, and no presumption in favour of IMRO was found, so the Dr.DIO licence and certificate cover Dr.DIO music without the Dual Music Licence. Keep the certificate and your track list.
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.
Tariffs depend on the size of the business and how music is used. No official example was confirmed for this guide; ask IMRO for your sector.
One licence from IMRO, acting also for PPI, covering musical works and sound recordings with one invoice since 1 January 2016.
Yes. IMRO says the licence is needed even when a business plays only TV or radio.
For PPI recordings, yes, and it is included in the Dual Music Licence issued by IMRO.
Not with a personal account, which is for personal, noncommercial use only.
Yes, if you play copyright music to customers. The usual route is the IMRO Dual Music Licence.
