Why do you need a licence?

Broadcasters and On-line Transmissions issues licences to broadcasters (including both private and public television, and radio as well as internet radio)

General Licensing isues licences to public users of music other than broadcasters * Licensing Administration, which draws up licences with the licensees’s specific requirements as far as the use of music is concerned.

Credit Control handles the accounting and administration of SAMRO’s debtors. Our General Licensing Department issues music licenses to businesses. It is this department that makes use of external sales representatives as well as telesales staff. According to copyright law not only the person performing music in public is liable, but also the proprietor of the premises who permits their permises to be used for such performance in public. It is SAMRO’s policy to look to the proprietor, not the performer, for payment of the necessary fees - just as in the theatre it is the impresario or the theatre-owner, not the actor, who pays the dramatist.

Please be aware that a licence issued by the SABC does not entitle the holder to give a performance in public of SAMRO’s copyright music included in broadcast programmes. The agreement between SAMRO and the SABC for the broadcasting of copyright music covers only the reception of such music within the domestic circle. Where broadcast music is rendered audible in public, a separate licence from SAMRO is necessary.

Also, it is important to remember that SAMRO does not control the performance of music in stage-works in their entirety, such as operas, ballet and musical playswhere such music has been specifically written for such stage works. Anyone wishing to stage such a work must negotiate separately with the copyright holder for permission to do so.

As a user of copyright music it is a requirement under the South African Copyright Act that you pay for the music that is broadcast, performed or “diffused” by your establishment. SAMRO’s Licensing Department is a hugely important aspect of the society, designed to ensure that music users in South Africa, of whatever size, are properly licensed for the performance of copyright music. The department is divided into several different areas including:

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