What does a PPL PRS licence cover?
TheMusicLicence can cover common UK public music uses for a business, including music played for customers or staff through a radio, television, digital device or live performance. The exact coverage depends on the applicable PPL PRS licence and the facts of the use.
Uses commonly checked under TheMusicLicence
| Music use | Rights question |
| Background music in a shop, cafe, restaurant, salon, hotel or office | Does the premises and music use fit the current background music tariff? |
| Radio or television played where customers or staff can hear it | Is the public playback covered for this venue and method? |
| Recorded music from a business music service or other source | Does the provider cover the catalogue and playback rights, and is a public performance licence still needed? |
| Live music, a DJ or featured entertainment | Does the venue or event need an additional or different licence? |
| Music in a video, advert, website, app or livestream | Are reproduction, synchronisation, online or direct rightsholder permissions also required? |
PPL is associated mainly with recorded music and the rights of performers and record companies. PRS for Music is associated mainly with musical works and the rights of songwriters, composers and publishers. A commercial recording can involve both.
Permissions that are not automatically included
A PPL PRS public music licence is not a blanket permission to copy music, upload it to a website, put it into a video or use it in an advert. It also does not override the terms of a consumer streaming service. Check the separate rights for the intended use before publishing or distributing the content.
For more detail, read whether TheMusicLicence covers radio, TV and streaming, whether Spotify can be used in a business, and whether a business music service replaces PPL PRS.
If you only use MelloJam
According to MelloJam's current plan terms, a business that plays only MelloJam music through the MelloJam player does not need a separate PPL PRS licence for that MelloJam playback itself. The plan covers MelloJam's catalogue and the commercial playback rights MelloJam controls under those terms.
The answer changes if you also use radio, television, Spotify, other recordings, live music, DJs, events, copying or online use. A non-waivable government, statutory or collecting-society charge can still apply if applicable local law imposes it directly on the venue.
Check the current official coverage
Use the official PPL PRS explanation of TheMusicLicence and guidance for playing music in a business before relying on a tariff or an older answer. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Back to all PPL PRS licensing questions.