Serbian businesses playing recorded music pay both SOKOJ, for music authors, and OFPS, for phonogram producers together with the performers' society PI.
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| SOKOJ | Organizacija muzičkih autora Srbije | Music authors |
| OFPS | Organizacija proizvođača fonograma Srbije | Phonogram producers; joint tariff with PI |
| PI | Organizacija za kolektivno ostvarivanje prava interpretatora | Performers |
SOKOJ issues permits for public performance and communication of music in business premises; its FAQ says playing recorded music requires paying both SOKOJ and OFPS. OFPS, with PI, collects the producers' and performers' remuneration for public communication of phonograms under a joint tariff.
SOKOJ fees depend on the area used by guests, the importance of music to the business and the location, with tariffs approved by the Intellectual Property Office. The OFPS tariff was not read for this guide, so no example is given.
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. SOKOJ's FAQ says radio or TV audible to customers is public communication, and the owner or lessee of the premises is responsible.
Article 180(1) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act presumes that a society acts for all domestic and foreign rightholders in its field. Under article 180(2) a rightholder without a contract may notify in writing that it will exercise rights individually (opt out), except for rights under mandatory collective exercise, which include producers' and performers' remuneration for public communication of phonograms (articles 117 and 127).
So authors may opt out, and the venue must hold proof, but phonogram remuneration remains collectable by OFPS and PI. Users must obtain rights before use and report within 15 days (article 187).
Article 215 sets fines of RSD 100,000 to 3,000,000 for companies and article 216 RSD 50,000 to 500,000 for entrepreneurs for unauthorised public communication.
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 Serbia the phonogram remuneration is mandatory collective, so OFPS and PI can still collect for Dr.DIO recordings played in a venue. On the authors' side SOKOJ is presumed to act for everyone unless the rightholder opts out in writing, so ask SOKOJ in writing with the Dr.DIO certificate.
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.
SOKOJ sets fees by guest area, the importance of music and location, under tariffs approved by the Intellectual Property Office. Ask SOKOJ for a figure.
It depends on area, music use and location; OFPS charges separately for recordings.
OFPS charges under its joint tariff with PI; the tariff was not read for this guide.
Yes. SOKOJ's FAQ says playing recorded music requires paying both.
Authors can opt out in writing, but OFPS and PI can still collect for phonograms under mandatory collective management.
No. Personal plans are for personal, noncommercial use.
