Public Performance License

Audiodrome | Last Updated: March 15th, 2026 | 4 min read | Glossary

A public performance license is permission to play, perform, or transmit copyrighted music to the public, including in businesses, venues, broadcasts, and many online or public-facing settings. It covers the public performance right, which is different from sync, mechanical, or master-use permission.

Quick facts line:
Also called: performance license
Covers: public playing, live performance, broadcast, and many public transmissions of music
Usually obtained from: a PRO or collecting society such as PRS/PPL PRS, ASCAP, or BMI depending on territory and use case
Not the same as: sync license, mechanical license, or a direct license to use music in video.

Example:
A café plays songs through speakers for customers and staff. That use counts as public performance, so the business generally needs a public performance license even if it already pays for Spotify, radio, TV, or another music source.

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What rights do I need for this use? Rights Requirement Checker

Gotchas:

  • Paying for a streaming subscription does not automatically give a business the right to play music publicly. PRS says businesses still need a music licence when music is played for customers or employees.
  • A public performance license does not replace a sync license. BMI defines sync as the right to synchronize a composition with visual images, which is a different permission.
  • A public performance license also does not automatically cover copying music files. PRS states that reproduction or dubbing uses may require a separate mechanical-style licence in addition to the public performance licence.
  • In some countries or use cases, more than one rights layer may apply. In the UK, PRS and PPL license different rights, and TheMusicLicence combines public performance licensing on behalf of both organizations for many business uses.

FAQs

No. A YouTube license only grants permission for private streaming via their platform. Public use – such as projecting a video at a school or public event – requires a separate public performance license from the appropriate rights organization.

Yes, in many cases. “Royalty-free” often means you don’t pay for each use, but it doesn’t always include public performance rights. Always review the license terms or confirm with the provider.

Yes. The source doesn’t exempt you from licensing. If music is played in a public or commercial space, it’s considered a public performance, even if it’s from a personal subscription or device.

No. Consumer streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube are licensed for personal use only. Business use requires a commercial license and a public performance license through a PRO.

It depends. One-time events may require a specific license, while recurring uses – such as background music in a business – can be covered by an annual blanket license.

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Related terms:
PRO • Public Performance Rights • Sync License • Mechanical License • Master Rights • Music Licensing • Advertising Rights • Commercial Use