Music is great for business. It creates an atmosphere, attracts customers, and boosts sales.
Even if your organisation doesn't make money from music use, you probably still need a music licence and permission to play or perform songs publicly, as well as copy or make music available online.
You don't have to use a music rights management organisation, like APRA AMCOS, for your music licensing needs. Discover how you can deal directly with copyright owners rather than license music through us.
Do you think the wrong licence scheme has been applied to your business or perhaps you've been charged incorrect licence fees? If you have a dispute about APRA AMCOS music licensing, you can contact us directly or use an affordable, independent dispute resolution service.
Do I need an APRA AMCOS licence if I only play or copy music from overseas artists?
APRA AMCOS is part of a worldwide network of collecting societies connected through reciprocal licensing agreements. This network allows our members rights to be administered all over the world, and the rights of overseas composers to be represented in New Zealand and Australia. For example, PRSforMusic administers Lorde’s rights in the UK, and we administer Ed Sheeran’s here. Your licence fee contributes income to New Zealand songwriters and to songwriters from around the world.
What music can I play under my APRA AMCOS licence?
An APRA AMCOS licence covers the majority of copyright music being played, except:
If you believe you may be using music which does not require an APRA AMCOS licence, please contact us for further information.
Does my APRA AMCOS licence cover the use of a digital (streaming) music service in my business?
According to their Terms of Use, personal/non-commercial digital music services like Spotify can only be used for personal and domestic purposes. However, whatever the source of the music used at your organisation or business, if you use APRA AMCOS' music then you’ll still need a licence from us to play it in your business.
In addition, if you copy APRA AMCOS' music, for example from one CD to another, or you stream it from a personal/non-commercial digital music service, such as Spotify, then you’ll also need coverage called “Digital Copy/Delivery".
You should be aware that an APRA AMCOS licence, even when it includes Digital Copy/Delivery only gives you permission to use APRA AMCOS' music in your business (or event); it does not override the Terms of Use for the personal digital music service you are using, nor does it give you permission to use that particular music service for a commercial purpose – that permission can only come from the owners of that service.
You may be better to consider a commercially licensed streaming service. Apple Music for Business subscribers are subject to separate Terms of Use, which do permit the playing of music in a commercial space. These terms are completely independent of the terms applying to Apple Music’s personal/non-commercial digital music service.
What is a cue sheet?
A Cue Sheet is a record of all songs and compositions used in a film, television, streaming or video game production. You can submit cue sheets via the APRA AMCOS Cue Sheet Portal.
We've got specialised departments to look after our members, licence enquiries, international affiliates, and more. Get in touch or send us a message using our department direct form.