Playing music for customers and staff helps enhance the atmosphere in your salon, creating an enjoyable environment and helping to define your brand – but are you breaking any laws by doing so?
You might be wondering whether you need a music licence to play the tunes of your choice in your salon, so to help clear up any FAQs, we had a chat with Greg Aiello, Managing Director at PPL PRS Music - the UK's music licensing organisation.
“If music is played or performed within a salon, then chances are a music licence will be needed. TheMusicLicence, issued by PPL PRS ensures that businesses and organisations that use music have the legal permission to do so, while ensuring those who create it are fairly paid for their work,” says Greg.
Keep reading what Greg had to say to find out whether your salon requires a music licence...
How Much Does TheMusicLicence Cost?
The cost of TheMusicLicence varies depending on the type of business and how music is used within the premises.
For example, a hair and beauty business with up to five treatment chairs could play background music for 65p per day (£238.33 per year, plus VAT). Meanwhile, a hair and beauty premises with 10 or fewer seats playing music via TV or radio could pay £1.07 per day (£391.55 per year, plus VAT).
These are examples rather than fixed prices, as the final cost will depend on factors such as the size of the premises, number of chairs or seats and how music is played.
PPL represents record companies and performers, while PRS for Music represents songwriters, composers and music publishers. Both organisations set their own licensing tariffs, which are administered together through TheMusicLicence. Collectively, their repertoires cover virtually all commercially available music.
For a personalised quote and to view the latest tariffs, visit the PPL PRS website.
Who Does the Money Go To?
After our business costs, music licence fees are distributed as royalties to all those involved in making music, via our parent companies PPL and PRS for Music. This means that those people who write, perform, compose, record or publish music are fairly paid for their work.
By purchasing TheMusicLicence, you are supporting the future of music by helping to ensure its creators are paid for their work, so that the people who write, perform and record it can continue making the music we all love.
What's the Payment Process for a Music Licence?
TheMusicLicence is a rolling licence which is usually reviewed and invoiced annually. If you do not currently have a licence but are playing or thinking about playing music in your business, please visit PPL PRS Music by clicking here.
What Happens if I Don't Pay for a Licence?
It is important that your business is correctly licensed to ensure your premises remains legal and compliant. Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, permission is needed from the relevant copyright holders – those who create, record and publish music – in order to play or perform music in public.
TheMusicLicence gives businesses this permission in relation to millions of songs from grassroots to independent artists to some of the biggest names in the business.
FAQ: Can I play Spotify in my salon?
Popular streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube are intended for personal use and their standard terms and conditions do not permit commercial use in a business setting. Salon owners should check that they are using a music streaming service licensed for commercial use, as well as ensuring they have TheMusicLicence where required.
Read next: The Importance of your Salon Soundtrack
Josie Jackson
Josie is a content writer at Professional Beauty, supporting the team with content for the print magazine, website and social media channels. With over four years' experience as a health and beauty journalist, Josie is dedicated to creating informative yet accessible content for all beauty professionals.
