What rights does APRA AMCOS collect from businesses?

APRA AMCOS administers rights in musical works, meaning the composition and lyrics rather than the particular studio recording. For businesses, those rights can cover public performance, communication to the public and some reproduction or copying.

The relevant use may be music in a shop, office, restaurant or gym, a live performance, a broadcast, an online service or a copy made for business playback. One licence does not necessarily cover every use.

Sound recording rights are handled separately by Recorded Music NZ. The OneMusic New Zealand route is designed to combine the relevant business licensing for common public music uses.

You do not need a separate APRA AMCOS New Zealand licence if you only use MelloJam

If your business plays only MelloJam music through the MelloJam player, you are not using music from the repertoire covered by APRA AMCOS's licensing route. MelloJam's original catalogue and the commercial playback rights it controls are included in your MelloJam plan, so you do not need a separate licence from APRA AMCOS for the MelloJam playback itself.

A separate non-waivable venue charge can still apply where local law imposes one. Radio, television, Spotify, other recordings, live music, DJs, events, copying and online use are outside the MelloJam plan.

Back to all APRA AMCOS New Zealand licensing questions.