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<\/a><\/b>Every retailer knows the importance of Music in the stores. It enhances ambience and research also shows that music motivates shoppers to prolong their stay in-store \u2013 indirectly increasing cash-memo size.<\/p>\nFor Indian Retailers, playing music in-store requires obtaining a Public Performance License.\u00a0 The reason for the license, is because the music rights holder has the right to collect fees when their music is used in a commercial environment. This is similar to paying Microsoft for the windows license on your PC.<\/p>\n
License applicability depends on what kind of music the retailer wants to play \u2013 Popular music from one of the larger music labels is likely to cost more than music made by independent artists.\u00a0 The graphic below simplifies the issue:<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t one all-encompassing license, but three kinds of licenses that are generally available in India.<\/p>\n So, the first choice is the library of the music you wish to play and depending on the same you go for the license.<\/p>\n One jargon that you will keep coming across when you talk about Music playout licenses is IPRS.<\/p>\n Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) is a society that represents the rights of artists and the composers. Legal experts say that IPRS is required incase of a live performance only. However, IPRS has served notices on some retail chains about taking IPRS licenses in case you are playing any music from the members of IPRS. We would suggest that you speak to your legal team for a clarification in this respect.<\/p>\n Let us now deal with the most important factor about availing licenses \u2013 the cost. Not all licenses cost the same; they vary a great deal as the music libraries are different. As a thumb rule, PPL is the most expensive. The costs also vary with the store size and the number of stores contracted.<\/p>\n Generally independent music is the most economical form of music license available while it provides a huge library of music designed for retail stores. The question to ask is do you need popular music or good music in the store? <\/b>Talking of paid music let us also share that there is something called Royalty free music too; Any music that is not part of library of a Performance Rights Organization\u00a0 (PRO) – \u00a0(e.g. PPL\/Novex\/ IPRS) is called royalty free music. This is music composed by independent artists or musicians that are not aligned to the major music labels.<\/p>\n The retailer does not need a PPL or IPRS license to play royalty free music. Royalty Free music from Spot Radio is not part of the library of any PRO in India and hence, you won\u2019t need any separate license for playing this music. A certificate of service is issued to individual stores indicating the use of royalty free music for the in store radio service in that store.<\/p>\n<\/a>The licenses required for music Playout in stores have become expensive and at times retailers have faced threats of police action and legal hassles. Let\u2019s understand the details and legalities associated with it.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nWhat is IPRS?<\/h2>\n
Costs<\/h2>\n