Who licenses what
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| AKKA/LAA | AKKA/LAA (Latvian Copyright Agency) | Authors' rights for music in public venues |
| LaIPA | Latvian Performers and Producers Association | Performers and phonogram producers |
Dr.DIO · Music license in Latvia
Music licence for a café or shop in Latvia
In Latvia a venue needs an AKKA/LAA licence for authors' rights before it starts using music, and a separate LaIPA agreement when it plays recordings.
Which license a café, shop or hotel needs
AKKA/LAA licenses authors' rights for music in shops, food businesses and other public venues, and says the licence must be obtained before use. It also says a separate LaIPA agreement is compulsory when playing recordings, such as radio, TV or CDs.
How the fee is worked out
Minimum royalties depend on the type of use. The public venue music tariff is published as a PDF that was not read for this guide, so no example fee is given.
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.
Music outside the collecting societies
AKKA/LAA states that the Copyright Act requires a licence before use, and that a LaIPA agreement is compulsory for recordings. Whether LaIPA's remuneration is due even for directly licensed recordings outside the societies (mandatory collective management) was not verified at article level, so the position is unclear.
In 2023 the Competition Council reviewed LaIPA's hotel room tariff criteria. Penalties were not documented on the pages read.
Dr.DIO in Latvia
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 Latvia it is unclear whether LaIPA's remuneration applies to directly licensed recordings such as Dr.DIO's. Ask AKKA/LAA and LaIPA in writing, with the Dr.DIO certificate, before you decide.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
Official sources
- AKKA/LAA: https://www.akka-laa.lv/
- LaIPA: https://www.laipa.org/
- AKKA/LAA licence page: https://www.akka-laa.lv/en/for-users/public-venues/when-a-licence-is-necessary
- AKKA/LAA: https://www.akka-laa.lv/en/for-users/public-venues/the-cost-of-a-licence
- LV portals (Latvian official legal portal): https://lvportals.lv/dienaskartiba/353526-pec-kp-izpetes-laipa-maina-kriterijus-atlidzibas-maksas-tarifu-aprekinasanai-par-muzikas-atskanosanu-viesnicu-istabas-2023
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
Do I need a music licence for a café in Latvia?
Yes, for protected music: an AKKA/LAA licence before use and a LaIPA agreement for recordings.
Do I need an AKKA/LAA licence for a shop?
Yes, if you play protected music in a shop. AKKA/LAA says the licence must be obtained before use.
Is a LaIPA agreement needed for background music?
AKKA/LAA says a separate LaIPA agreement is compulsory when you play recordings such as radio, TV or CDs.
How much does background music in a shop cost?
Minimum royalties depend on the type of use; the tariff PDF was not read for this guide. Ask AKKA/LAA.
Can I play Spotify in a shop in Riga?
No. Personal plans are for personal, noncommercial use.