Music licence letter decoder
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. General information, not legal advice.
It is a request, not a verdict
Most first contact is the opening of a commercial process, not a court order or a fine.
You have three routes
Pay the licence, dispute it if no licensable music plays, or change what you play.
Switching only affects the future
Changing your music never erases a licence you genuinely owed for the past.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom · what you are looking at
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Keep this read
We’ll send 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.
Next steps
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.
Understanding the letter
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.
By country
The bodies, wording, and enforcement differ by country. Below is a plain-language read for each of the 12 markets Sonosfera supports.
Bodies you may hear from: PRS for Music, PPL, TheMusicLicence
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.
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.
How 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. Published rates start from £335 per year for general hospitality spaces up to 400 m², with the exact price depending on your sector, floor area, and how music is used. Playing only the Sonosfera catalogue doesn't need TheMusicLicence, because our catalogue isn't registered with PPL PRS; any other music you play — radio, streaming or live — still does.
Source: PPL PRS — TheMusicLicence cost · Verified as of 2026
GEMA-Brief erhalten? Was er wirklich bedeutet
Bodies you may hear from: GEMA, GVL
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 GEMA-free — 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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. GEMA/GVL may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
Was kostet kommerzielle Hintergrundmusik in Deutschland wirklich?
In Deutschland gilt die GEMA-Vermutung: Spielen Sie gewerblich Musik, müssen Sie nachweisen, dass sie GEMA-frei ist — eine vertragliche Zusage allein entlastet Sie laut BGH nicht. 2025 forderten Abmahnungen teils über 10.000 € pro Vorfall bei ungeklärter Musiknutzung. Dies ist keine Rechtsberatung; prüfen Sie Ihren konkreten Fall mit einer fachkundigen Quelle.
Quelle: digitaltrademarks.de — GEMA-freie Musik & Abmahnrisiko · Geprüft Stand 2026
Bodies you may hear from: ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR
ASCAP 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. For US businesses, Sonosfera tracks do not require separate ASCAP/BMI/SESAC/GMR blanket licences for Sonosfera playback because the catalogue is positioned outside PRO registration and the certificate copy keeps the claim catalogue-specific. 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.
Courrier SACEM reçu ? Ce que cela veut dire
Bodies you may hear from: SACEM, SPRE (ADAMI/SCPP/SPPF)
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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. SACEM/SPRE may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
Quelle 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
Lettera SIAE ricevuta? Che cosa significa
Bodies you may hear from: SIAE, LEA/Soundreef, SCF
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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. SIAE, LEA/Soundreef, and SCF may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
Quali 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
¿Carta de la SGAE? Lo que significa de verdad
Bodies you may hear from: SGAE, AIE, AGEDI
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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. SGAE, AIE, and AGEDI may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
¿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
Brief van Buma/Stemra of Sena ontvangen?
Bodies you may hear from: Buma/Stemra, Sena, Mijn Licentie
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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. Buma/Stemra, Sena, and Mijn Licentie may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
Wat kost achtergrondmuziek voor een Nederlandse horecazaak?
In Nederland regel je 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. Sonosfera is een aparte catalogusdienst en de accountgegevens gelden alleen voor in aanmerking komende Sonosfera-weergave.
Bron: Buma/Stemra — Horecatarief achtergrondmuziek · Geverifieerd in 2026
Bodies you may hear from: SOCAN, Re:Sound, Entandem
SOCAN 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. Canada pages should say Sonosfera is directly licensed and positioned outside SOCAN/Re:Sound repertoire, but should avoid blanket exemption copy until the Quebec/French verification gap is cleaned up. 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 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
Bodies you may hear from: APRA AMCOS, PPCA, OneMusic Australia
OneMusic 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. For Australian businesses, Sonosfera is directly licensed and can use the OneMusic Australia / PPCA Dealing Direct framing reflected in the certificate copy. 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.
How 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
Bodies you may hear from: OneMusic NZ
OneMusic 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. New Zealand businesses should check their OneMusic NZ obligations for every music source they use. Sonosfera documents eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback only and does not determine obligations for outside music. 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 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
Bodies you may hear from: EMRA
EMRA 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 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 EMRA'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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. EMRA and other UAE rights contexts may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
Do UAE businesses need a music licence for background music?
Music licensing is new to the UAE. The Emirates Music Rights Association (EMRA) was granted the country's first collective-management licence in 2025, and background music in hotels, restaurants, cafés, gyms, salons and retail is expected to fall in scope as tariffs are introduced. Published fees are not yet available, so adopting a licence-free catalogue now gets you ahead of the EMRA fee. Sonosfera records cover eligible Sonosfera catalogue playback.
Source: EMRA — Emirates Music Rights Association · Verified as of 2026
Nhận được thư của VCPMC? Điều đó nghĩa là gì
Bodies you may hear from: VCPMC, APPA
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. Sonosfera playback is documented for eligible Sonosfera catalogue tracks. VCPMC/APPA may still apply to outside music sources. 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.
Phát 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
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.
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.
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 show the music is GEMA-free, so keep clear records of exactly what you play.
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.
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.
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.