Does a business music service replace PPL PRS?
Not automatically. A business music service may provide a catalogue, a player and permissions under its own terms, while TheMusicLicence addresses public music use under the PPL PRS route. Whether one arrangement is enough depends on the service, the territory, the music source and what happens at the premises.
Compare the two arrangements
| Question | Business music service | TheMusicLicence and PPL PRS |
| What is being supplied? | A catalogue, software, playback service and any rights promised in the provider terms. | A public music licensing route for the uses covered by the applicable tariff. |
| Which music is covered? | The provider's catalogue and the rights it controls or has arranged. | Music and rights covered by the current PPL PRS terms and tariff. |
| Does it cover every music source? | Usually no. Radio, consumer streaming, other recordings, live music or a DJ may be outside the provider agreement. | The applicable licence still needs to match the venue and use. |
| What should you keep? | The provider terms, invoice and any territory or venue confirmation. | The current licence confirmation, tariff and payment records. |
Questions to ask before relying on a provider
Check the following in writing:
- whether the catalogue is cleared for business playback in your country
- whether the provider grants the required public playback rights or only supplies music technology
- which premises, zones, devices and business types are included
- whether radio, television, consumer streaming, live music, DJs and events are excluded
- whether copying, online use, video and advertising need separate permission
- what happens when the subscription ends or the business changes location
PPL PRS explains that using a background music supplier does not by itself answer the licensing question. Read the official background music guidance and the TheMusicLicence explanation alongside the provider terms.
If you only use MelloJam
According to MelloJam's current plan terms, a business that plays only MelloJam music through the MelloJam player is covered for that MelloJam playback under the MelloJam plan and does not need a separate PPL PRS licence for the MelloJam playback itself.
That statement is limited to the MelloJam catalogue and playback covered by those terms. A non-waivable government, statutory or collecting-society charge can still apply if applicable local law imposes it directly on the venue. Adding radio, television, Spotify, other recordings, live music, DJs, events, copying or online use requires a fresh rights check.
Keep the answer specific to your use
The safest comparison is not "provider or PPL PRS" in the abstract. Record the exact catalogue, source, premises, audience and playback method, then compare them with both the provider agreement and the current official tariff. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Back to all PPL PRS licensing questions.