Got a music licence letter?
Question 1 of 3
Where is your venue?
Covers these 12 countries only.
Question 2 of 3
Who contacted you?
Question 3 of 3
What kind of contact was it?
What you are looking at
A first letter from TheMusicLicence (PPL PRS Ltd)
A first letter is the start of a conversation, not a fine. Take your time, get things in writing, and pick the route that fits what you actually play.
General information, not legal advice.
Why?
A first letter is usually an opening request, not a penalty. It typically asks you to confirm whether you play music and to take out a licence — it is the start of a conversation, and you are allowed to take your time and reply in writing.
Who is contacting you. TheMusicLicence (PPL PRS Ltd) is the single combined licence most venues are asked to buy, bundling songwriting and recording royalties into one payment. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
From here you generally have three realistic routes: pay the licence, dispute it if no licensable music is played, or change what you play. None of them has to be decided today.
Your three realistic options.
Pay the licence
If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from TheMusicLicence usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for United Kingdom is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
Typical published cost for United Kingdom
Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside TheMusicLicence (PPL PRS Ltd)'s repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
Change what you play
You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. For UK businesses, Sonosfera certificate copy keeps the claim tied to eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback and names outside music sources as separate. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
What not to do
- Don’t just ignore it. In most countries silence leads to firmer letters and, eventually, legal action.
- Don’t admit past or unverified usage — in writing or on the phone. You can ask for time and for everything to be put in writing.
- Don’t assume a personal Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube account covers a business — those are for personal use only.
- Don’t treat this page as legal advice — for a large claim or a genuine dispute, consider a qualified adviser.
Keep this read.
We’ll email this exact breakdown for United Kingdom — what the contact is, your three options, and what not to do — so you can read it away from the screen. One email, no mailing list.
About this tool
Here is what it actually means.
A calm, plain-language read on who is really contacting you, what your realistic options are, and what not to do.
General information, not legal advice.
A calm, plain-language read on that letter, invoice, call, or visit about a music licence — who is really contacting you, what your realistic options are, and what not to do.
- It is a request, not a verdictMost first contact is the opening of a commercial process, not a court order or a fine.
- You have three routesPay the licence, dispute it if no licensable music plays, or change what you play.
- Switching only affects the futureChanging your music never erases a licence you genuinely owed for the past.
Understanding the letter.
A music licence letter is the start of a conversation, not a fine.
Collecting societies and their appointed licence operators write to businesses that may be playing music in public — salons, gyms, cafes, restaurants, shops, clinics, and hotels. The letter, invoice, phone call, or visit is a request to license the public playing of that music. It is the opening of a commercial process. On first contact it is generally not a court order, a criminal charge, or a fine.
You usually have three realistic routes: pay the licence if you play mainstream commercial music; dispute it if you play no music or only music outside the society’s repertoire; or change what you play so the repertoire no longer applies going forward. Whichever you choose, keep clear records of exactly what you play, and put your responses in writing.
Changing your music only affects playback from the day you switch onward. It never cancels a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played. Sonosfera is a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback — it is not a way to erase a past debt, and it does not cover music from other sources.
For the longer walkthrough — the decision tree in full, a redacted worked example of this tool's output, the wording to use in a written reply, and the four records worth keeping — read what to do when PPL PRS contacts your business.
UK business with the letter in hand? There is also a dedicated plain-language guide: received a PPL PRS letter — what it means and your options.
By country
What the letter means in your market.
The bodies, wording, and enforcement differ by country. Below is a plain-language read for each of the 12 markets Sonosfera supports.
United Kingdom
PRS for Music, PPL, TheMusicLicenceTheMusicLicence (PPL PRS Ltd) is the single combined licence most venues are asked to buy, bundling songwriting and recording royalties into one payment. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from TheMusicLicence usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for United Kingdom is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside TheMusicLicence (PPL PRS Ltd)'s repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. For UK businesses, Sonosfera certificate copy keeps the claim tied to eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback and names outside music sources as separate. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full United Kingdom music licensing guideHow much does a UK music licence cost for a business?
In the UK, most businesses that play mainstream commercial music need TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS, which collects for two societies at once. A pub with an audible area of 400 m² or less playing through a radio pays £359.95 a year ex VAT — £204.19 to PPL plus £155.76 to PRS for Music. Through a streaming service or CD player the PRS row changes and the total is £515.78 ex VAT. Your own figure depends on sector, floor area and how music is used. You don't need a PPL PRS licence to play Sonosfera: our catalogue is fully rights-controlled and sits outside PPL and PRS repertoire, so you can play it in your venue freely. Every track you play through Sonosfera is included. Any other music — radio, streaming or live — needs its own licence.
Source: PPL PPLPP210 background music tariff, effective 01-JAN-26, PRS for Music Tariff 'P' (2025.10) · Verified as of 2026
Germany
GEMA, GVLGEMA-Brief erhalten? Was er wirklich bedeutet
GEMA collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from GEMA usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Germany is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside GEMA's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Country note: In Germany the "GEMA-Vermutung" (GEMA presumption) can put the burden on you to positively show the music you play is outside GEMA’s repertoire — a supplier’s assurance on its own may not be enough. Keep clear records of exactly what you play.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. Keine GEMA- oder GVL-Lizenz nötig für Sonosfera-Musik mit aktivem Abo. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Germany music licensing guideWas kostet kommerzielle Hintergrundmusik in Deutschland wirklich?
In Deutschland gilt die GEMA-Vermutung: Spielen Sie gewerblich Musik, müssen Sie nachweisen, dass die gespielten Werke nicht zum GEMA-Repertoire gehören. Ihr Sonosfera-Musiknutzungszertifikat dokumentiert die Nutzung des Sonosfera-Katalogs mit einem aktiven Abo. Dies ist keine Rechtsberatung; prüfen Sie Ihren konkreten Fall mit einer fachkundigen Quelle.
Quelle: digitaltrademarks.de — Musiknutzung und Nachweispflichten · Geprüft Stand 2026
United States
ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMRASCAP collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from ASCAP usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside ASCAP's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. No ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC license needed for Sonosfera music under an active plan. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
France
SACEM, SPRE (ADAMI/SCPP/SPPF)Courrier SACEM reçu ? Ce que cela veut dire
SACEM collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from SACEM usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for France is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside SACEM's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. Pas besoin de licence SACEM ou SPRE pour la musique Sonosfera avec un abonnement actif. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full France music licensing guideQuelle licence musicale faut-il pour un commerce en France ?
En France, diffuser de la musique commerciale dans un lieu professionnel relève généralement de la SACEM et de la SPRE, les références locales à vérifier selon votre activité et votre surface. Les barèmes officiels dépendent de votre cas précis. Sonosfera est une option de catalogue dédiée à la diffusion professionnelle, et non un avis juridique pour chaque usage possible de la musique.
Source: SACEM — diffuser de la musique · Vérifié au 2026
Italy
SIAE, LEA/Soundreef, SCFLettera SIAE ricevuta? Che cosa significa
SIAE collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from SIAE usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Italy is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside SIAE's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. Nessuna licenza SIAE o SCF necessaria per la musica Sonosfera con un abbonamento attivo. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Italy music licensing guideQuali licenze musicali servono a un'attività commerciale in Italia?
In Italia, diffondere musica commerciale in un locale riguarda di norma la SIAE (diritto d'autore) e SCF (diritti connessi); dal 2026 la SIAE accentra anche la raccolta dei diritti connessi. Le tariffe ufficiali dipendono dall'attività e dai metri quadri, quindi conviene verificare il tuo caso con la fonte ufficiale. Sonosfera è un'opzione di catalogo per la diffusione in azienda, non una consulenza legale per ogni uso della musica.
Fonte: SIAE — Musica d'ambiente · Verificato nel 2026
Spain
SGAE, AIE, AGEDI¿Carta de la SGAE? Lo que significa de verdad
SGAE collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from SGAE usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Spain is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside SGAE's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. No necesitas licencia de SGAE o AGEDI-AIE para la música de Sonosfera con un plan activo. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Spain music licensing guide¿Qué licencias de música necesita un comercio en España?
En España, poner música comercial en un local suele implicar a la SGAE (autores) y, a menudo, también a AGEDI y AIE (productores e intérpretes). Las tarifas oficiales dependen de tu actividad y de la superficie del local, así que conviene comprobar tu caso concreto con la fuente oficial. Sonosfera es una opción de catálogo para la reproducción en negocios, no un asesoramiento legal para cualquier uso de la música.
Fuente: SGAE — Licencia de comercios y tiendas · Verificado en 2026
Netherlands
Buma/Stemra, Sena, Mijn LicentieBrief van Buma/Stemra of Sena ontvangen?
Mijn Licentie is the single combined licence most venues are asked to buy, bundling songwriting and recording royalties into one payment. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from Mijn Licentie usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Netherlands is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside Mijn Licentie's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. Geen licentie van Buma/Stemra of Sena nodig voor Sonosfera-muziek met een actief abonnement. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Netherlands music licensing guideWat kost achtergrondmuziek voor een Nederlandse horecazaak?
In Nederland regelt u muziekrechten via Buma/Stemra (auteursrecht) en Sena (naburige rechten), samen af te nemen via Mijn Licentie. Het horeca-tarief van Buma/Stemra noemt voor een ruimte van 31–100 m² € 672,00 per jaar (€ 448,02 na de standaardkorting), exclusief btw; Sena wordt daar apart bovenop berekend. Geen Buma/Stemra- of Sena-licentie nodig voor Sonosfera-muziek met een actief abonnement. Andere muziekbronnen houden hun eigen regels.
Bron: Buma/Stemra — Horecatarief achtergrondmuziek · Geverifieerd in 2026
Canada
SOCAN, Re:Sound, EntandemSOCAN collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from SOCAN usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Canada is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside SOCAN's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. No SOCAN, Re:Sound, or Entandem licence needed for Sonosfera music under an active plan. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Canada music licensing guideWhat music licences does a Canadian business need for background music?
In Canada, businesses that play background music are generally billed through Entandem, the joint venture that collects for SOCAN (authors) and Re:Sound (recorded music) in a single invoice. The exact tariff depends on your venue type and size, so check your own SOCAN and Re:Sound obligations. Sonosfera is a separate catalogue service, and its records cover only eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback.
Source: Entandem (SOCAN + Re:Sound) · Verified as of 2026
Australia
APRA AMCOS, PPCA, OneMusic AustraliaOneMusic Australia is the single combined licence most venues are asked to buy, bundling songwriting and recording royalties into one payment. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from OneMusic Australia usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Australia is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside OneMusic Australia's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. No OneMusic (APRA AMCOS / PPCA) licence needed for Sonosfera music under an active plan. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Australia music licensing guideHow much does a small Australian venue pay to play background music?
In Australia, most venues that play recorded background music need a OneMusic Australia licence, which combines APRA AMCOS and PPCA in one invoice. OneMusic's published retail fee guide lists A$171.94 per year (about A$14.33 a month) for a small 1–50 m² space on the Silver Lite background-music package. Sonosfera is a separate, directly-licensed catalogue service, and its records cover eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback.
Source: OneMusic Australia — Retail & Service Providers fee guide · Verified as of 2026
New Zealand
OneMusic NZOneMusic NZ is the single combined licence most venues are asked to buy, bundling songwriting and recording royalties into one payment. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from OneMusic NZ usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for New Zealand is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside OneMusic NZ's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. No OneMusic licence needed for Sonosfera music under an active plan. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full New Zealand music licensing guideWhat should a New Zealand venue budget for music licensing?
Founder-commissioned 2026 research puts the OneMusic NZ legal baseline at about NZ$715–758 per year for a small streaming venue, including a NZ$350.07 Digital Delivery add-on. Your tariff can differ by venue and use, so check your exact OneMusic NZ obligations. Sonosfera pricing is separate and its account records are limited to eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback.
Source: OneMusic NZ — Hospitality music licence · Verified as of 2026
United Arab Emirates
EMRAThe body that contacted you collects royalties on behalf of music rights holders. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from EMRA usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for United Arab Emirates is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside the society’s repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. No separate music licence needed for Sonosfera music in the United Arab Emirates under an active plan. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full United Arab Emirates music licensing guideDo UAE businesses need a music licence for background music?
No separate music licence needed for Sonosfera music in the United Arab Emirates under an active plan. Your subscription is your licence for our music, which is owned by Sonosfera and is not registered with any collecting society. Other music you play needs its own licence.
Source: Sonosfera terms — music use · Verified as of 2026
Vietnam
VCPMC, APPANhận được thư của VCPMC? Điều đó nghĩa là gì
VCPMC collects royalties for songwriters, composers, and publishers — the people who wrote the music. A letter or contact like this is a request to license the public playing of that music in your venue. It is the opening of a commercial process — it is not, by itself, a court judgment or a criminal charge.
- Pay the licence
- If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence from VCPMC usually does apply, and taking it out is the simplest way to be covered for that music. Check the licence is based on the correct venue size, use, locations, and dates before you pay. The typical published cost for Vietnam is summarised, with its source, further down this page.
- Dispute it, if no licensable music is played
- If your venue plays no music at all, or only music that sits outside VCPMC's repertoire, you can reply in writing and say exactly that. Ask them to confirm which specific songs or repertoire they believe you are using, and keep your response factual and on paper.
- Change what you play
- You can move your venue onto music that does not use the society’s repertoire, so the licence stops applying to what you play from that point on. Sonosfera is one such option: a catalogue made for venues and positioned outside collecting-society repertoire, with an account record for eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback. Không cần giấy phép từ VCPMC cho nhạc Sonosfera khi gói dịch vụ đang hoạt động. Switching only changes things from the day you switch onward — it does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and Sonosfera cannot make a real past debt disappear.
Full Vietnam music licensing guidePhát nhạc thương mại tại Việt Nam cần lưu ý gì về bản quyền?
Tại Việt Nam, việc phát nhạc thương mại trong không gian kinh doanh thường liên quan đến quyền tác giả và quyền liên quan do các tổ chức như VCPMC quản lý; hãy kiểm tra trường hợp cụ thể của bạn theo loại hình và quy mô. Sonosfera là lựa chọn nhạc theo danh mục riêng dành cho phát tại doanh nghiệp, không phải tư vấn pháp lý cho mọi cách sử dụng nhạc.
Nguồn: VCPMC — Trung tâm Bảo vệ Quyền tác giả Âm nhạc Việt Nam · Cập nhật 2026
Common questions
Music licence letters, answered.
I received a PPL PRS (or GEMA, SACEM, BMI, ASCAP) letter — do I have to pay?
If your venue plays mainstream commercial music — radio, TV, chart tracks, live acts, or most consumer playlists — a licence usually does apply and paying it is the straightforward route. If you play no music, or only music outside that society’s repertoire, you can reply in writing and ask them to confirm exactly which repertoire they believe you use. This is general information, not legal advice.
What happens if I ignore a music licence letter?
Ignoring it usually makes things worse. In most countries silence leads to firmer letters, invoices, chasing calls, and eventually legal action. It is better to respond in writing, keep records of what you actually play, and decide between paying, disputing, or changing your music.
Can I dispute a demand from a collecting society?
Yes. A letter or invoice is a claim, not proof that the amount is right. You can ask, in writing, which specific songs or repertoire they believe you use and how any figure was calculated. In Germany the GEMA-Vermutung can shift the burden onto you to document whether the music belongs to GEMA’s repertoire, so keep clear records of exactly what you play.
Does switching to Sonosfera under an active plan cancel a music licence debt I already owe?
No. Changing what you play only affects music played from the day you switch onward. It does not cancel a licence you genuinely owed for music you have already played, and no music provider — Sonosfera included — can make a real past debt disappear. Sonosfera account records cover eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback only.
Is a personal Spotify or Apple Music account enough for my business?
No. Consumer streaming subscriptions are for personal use only and do not grant business playback permission. That is a common reason venues receive licensing letters in the first place.
Other free tools
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Calculadora de tarifas SGAE 2026Tarifa por metros cuadrados del Libro de Tarifas SGAE 2026, con las tres tarifas que publica la SGAE y sin IVA.España · In Spanish
Or change what plays.
Hear Sonosfera in your venue free for 14 days, then decide.
Free for 14 days, no card needed
Next steps
See the numbers, then decide calmly. Compare what the traditional route costs against a catalogue-scoped Sonosfera setup, understand the certificate record, and start a 14-day free trial with no card when you are ready.
Disclaimer
This tool is general information, not legal advice. Rules and enforcement differ by country and by venue, and only you know exactly what you play. Sonosfera is not affiliated with any collecting society or licence body named here and cannot remove a licence obligation for music you have already played. Sonosfera account records cover eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback only. For a specific dispute — especially a large back-payment claim — check your situation with the official body or a qualified adviser.