For many years now we have had regular inquiries from business owners who are surprised to be contacted by PRS and other PROs (Performance Rights Organizations) regarding the music they are playing in their shop, restaurant, cafe, gym, medical practice etc. These are not all new businesses, sometimes they have just not been contacted previously and did not understand that they … [Read more...]
Is the Composer / Artist Losing Out If I Don’t Pay PRS, ASCAP or BMI?
While many businesses understand that music creates a certain atmosphere in their restaurant, bar, or shop, many businesses are still not happy to pay for using music, as they don't understand where the money goes. What happens if you don't pay? Mainstream Music If you are playing mainstream music in your business and not paying a license the composer / artist / band will … [Read more...]
Cue Sheet Royalties for Sound Effects
This is something that seems to crop up a lot. With some broadcasters, there is an assumption that everything has to be added to the cue sheet. While this is true for music that is registered with royalty collection societies the same can't be applied to sound effects due to the very nature of their composition. So, we get asked: Do I have to submit cue sheets for sound … [Read more...]
The Cost of Singing Happy Birthday
Due to music licensing, it usually costs money to use or perform a musical work that someone owns the copyright on. The exception to this is when a piece of music is in the public domain. This is basically when the copyright expires (copyright rules differ for different parts of the world so I won't get into that here). Back in 2016, it was reported that Warner Chappell … [Read more...]
Memories of Christmas Brass Banding Inspire Royalty Free Christmas Music
Much of my teenage life was spent playing the trombone in bands. I especially recall playing in public at this time of year in a variety of brass ensembles. My passion and past-time of playing music turned into composing with sequencing software and ultimately lead me to starting Media Music Now in 2005. Since then their has been no opportunity or time to work on my own … [Read more...]