A Mexican business playing recorded music deals with at least two payees: SACM for authors and composers, and SOMEXFON for recorded music in its catalogue.
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| SACM | Sociedad de Autores y Compositores de México | Authors' rights for public performance |
| SOMEXFON | Sociedad Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas, Videogramas y Multimedia | Public use of recorded music in its catalogue |
| ANDI / EJE | Asociación Nacional de Intérpretes / Ejecutantes | Performers' societies; role for venues not verified |
SACM licenses authors' rights for public performance. SOMEXFON collects nationwide for public use of recorded music in its catalogue; its FAQ says its payment covers producers' and musicians' rights, and it is authorised and regulated by INDAUTOR.
SOMEXFON publishes tariffs by sector: food and drink, lodging, nightlife, boutiques and transport. The role of the performers' societies ANDI and EJE alongside SOMEXFON for venues was not verified.
SOMEXFON's tariff, effective 20 February 2026, uses annual flat fees by category. Restaurants, bars and cantinas are priced by number of tables (1 to 20, 21 to 40, 41 or more); cafeterias and fondas or taquerías pay a single flat fee. IVA is added.
Example: a restaurant with 1 to 20 tables pays MXN 15,546 a year plus IVA to SOMEXFON (2026). This is the recorded music side only; SACM is separate, and its fee basis was not verified 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.
SOMEXFON's FAQ says a streaming subscription is for personal use and using it in a business is considered commercial use, as the apps' terms state. Payment applies whether music comes from radio, free to air or pay TV.
SOMEXFON's FAQ says payment must be made to each right holder and covers only its catalogue. No mandatory collective management or legal presumption of representation for venue licensing was verified for this guide, so the position for music outside the societies is unclear.
A venue using directly licensed royalty free music should keep the licences and track lists to answer any claim. SOMEXFON states it will start legal proceedings if an establishment refuses to pay; statutory sanctions were not verified.
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.
Mexican law on music outside the societies is unclear in the facts checked: SOMEXFON says it covers only its catalogue, but no rule was verified either way. Keep the certificate and track list, and ask SACM and SOMEXFON in writing whether they claim anything for Dr.DIO music.
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.
SACM's fee basis was not verified for this guide. Ask SACM directly; its website has pages on fees and on who must pay.
For a restaurant with 1 to 20 tables, SOMEXFON's 2026 tariff is MXN 15,546 a year plus IVA. Cafeterias and fondas pay a single flat fee.
If you play protected music in public, yes. Expect SACM for authors and SOMEXFON for recordings in its catalogue.
SOMEXFON says no: a streaming subscription is for personal use, and playing it in a business is commercial use.
SOMEXFON says it covers only its catalogue, but the legal position was not verified. Keep licences and track lists and ask the societies in writing.
For recorded music in SOMEXFON's catalogue, payment is expected and SOMEXFON states it will go to court if a venue refuses. For other recordings the rule was not verified.
