DAC IP INSIGHT – 21st July 2026

Who Gets Paid When Your Music Is Played? What Every Musician and Business Owner Should Know About Copyright

Imagine spending months writing, recording, and producing a song.

The song becomes popular. Restaurants play it. Shopping malls use it to create atmosphere. Radio stations broadcast it daily. Hotels entertain guests with it. Bars and cafés include it in their playlists.

Everyone benefits from the music.

But does the musician?

Copyright law says they should.

One of the fundamental principles of copyright law is that creators are entitled to receive fair remuneration when their works are publicly used. Music is not merely entertainment—it is intellectual property. Like any other form of property, it carries legal rights that deserve protection.

When a business publicly plays copyrighted music, whether through speakers, television, live performances, streaming services, or radio broadcasts, it may be required to obtain the appropriate licence and ensure that the relevant copyright royalties are paid through the applicable collective management organisation.

Many business owners mistakenly believe that purchasing a CD, subscribing to a music streaming service, or tuning into a radio station automatically gives them the right to play music in their business premises.

In most cases, it does not.

Buying or streaming music gives the purchaser the right to enjoy it privately. Public performance is a separate copyright use that may require permission or licensing from the copyright owners or the organisation authorised to manage those rights on their behalf.

For musicians, these royalties are often an essential source of income. Every lawful public performance contributes to rewarding the creativity, talent, time, and investment that went into producing the music.

For businesses, respecting copyright is not merely a legal obligation—it is also good corporate citizenship. Supporting musicians through lawful licensing helps sustain the creative industries that enrich our communities and economies.

Business owners should therefore ensure that they understand their copyright obligations before publicly playing music in:

• Restaurants

• Hotels

• Shopping centres

• Bars and nightclubs

• Retail stores

• Gyms

• Salons and barber shops

• Radio and television stations

• Public events

• Corporate functions

Likewise, musicians should familiarise themselves with the organisations responsible for administering public performance rights and ensure that their works are properly registered so that royalties can be collected and distributed.

Copyright is not intended to prevent businesses from enjoying music.

Rather, it seeks to strike a fair balance by ensuring that those who create music are properly recognised and fairly compensated whenever their work generates value for others.

Respecting copyright today helps ensure that tomorrow’s artists continue creating the music that inspires us all.

For legal advice on copyright, music licensing, royalties, intellectual property, entertainment law, or commercial agreements, contact Dzekedzeke and Company.

Website: www.dzekedzekeandco.com