Play Authorized Music or Face The Music

The restaurant owners try to make sure that their customers are duly entertained while they dine and playing music for them is one of the basic things that they focus on. They can either play a pre-recorded song or have a live band playing. If you are one of them then it is time you become aware of the new law about playing music without proper authorization. Majority of the songs that are played are copyrighted and therefore, playing them without proper authorization will lead to a copyright-infringement.

According to the federal copyright laws the copyright holder can authorize a person to use the works. For transmitted music the performance rights are licensed by a performance rights organization on the behalf of the artists or the composer. These organizations offer the business establishments the licenses that they might use the music. The fee that these organizations charge depends on the type of music, live or recorded, the size of the room, the number of attendees, etc.

For the restaurant owner an agreement with a background-music provider can save them from having to enter into license agreements with the music licensing companies. As a result, the fee goes directly to the background music providers rather than the licensing companies with whom they have an agreement. If this agreement is not signed then the restaurant owners playing music for their customer might find themselves in deep trouble.
 
However, there is one exception for the food joints that play radio or satellite channels and do not charge customers for entering and listening to the music or even watching it. But if there is a live band playing then the licensing music obligation exists.

Therefore, if you are a restaurant owner who likes to play music for the customers then make sure that it is in accordance with the Federal Copyright Laws.