Who licenses what
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| LATGA | LATGA (Lithuanian copyright protection association) | Authors' rights, music works department |
| AGATA | AGATA (Lithuanian neighbouring rights association) | Performers and phonogram producers |
Dr.DIO · Music license in Lithuania
Music licence for a café or shop in Lithuania
Lithuanian venues need agreements with both LATGA, for authors, and AGATA, for performers and phonogram producers. No joint licence was found.
Which license a café, shop or hotel needs
LATGA concludes background music agreements for authors' rights in commercial premises. AGATA concludes agreements for public performance of phonograms, paying performers and producers.
How the fee is worked out
Background music fees depend on the floor area of the premises (LATGA, as reported by LRT in 2018). Concerts and events are priced by ticket revenue, or by audience and seats for free events. No example fee was confirmed for this guide.
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. A LATGA and AGATA spokesperson told LRT in 2018 that owning a legal CD or using YouTube or radio does not cover public playback.
Music outside the collecting societies
Lithuanian law requires the equitable remuneration for public performance of phonograms to be collected collectively. Whether a venue that plays only directly licensed music owes nothing depends on whether these rights are under mandatory or extended collective management, and the articles were not verified for this guide.
AGATA presumes that venues with municipal alcohol licences play music, so a venue would need documentation to rebut this.
According to LRT (2018), courts may award twice the fee due, administrative fines are EUR 280 to 600 for a first offence, and there are about 10 to 15 court cases a year.
Dr.DIO in Lithuania
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 Lithuania the phonogram remuneration is collected collectively, and whether that reaches directly licensed recordings is unclear. Keep the Dr.DIO certificate and track list, and ask LATGA and AGATA in writing 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
- LATGA: https://www.latga.lt/
- AGATA: https://www.agata.lt/
- LRT (Lithuanian public broadcaster) report: https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/lietuvoje/2/218820/kada-viesas-muzikos-klausymas-gali-nemazai-kainuoti
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 Lithuania?
Yes, if you play protected music: agreements with LATGA for authors and AGATA for recordings.
What do LATGA and AGATA charge a shop?
Background music fees are based on the floor area of the premises. No current official example was available for this guide.
How much does background music in a shop cost?
It depends on floor area; ask LATGA and AGATA for their tariffs.
Do I have to pay for music in a café?
Yes for protected music. AGATA presumes that venues with alcohol licences play music.
Can I use YouTube or radio in my shop instead?
No. LATGA and AGATA say YouTube, radio or a bought CD does not cover public playback.