Music User

Does your business or establishment play music in public? If so, that makes you a Music User!

Radio

Pubs

Malls

Cinemas

Churches

Taxis

Trains

Nighclubs

Restaurants

DJ's

Live Music

Mobile

DSP

VOD

TV

Learn More about SAMRO Licensing

Learn more about Licencing, Copyright Law and Royalties

Music Users who play music as part of their business activities are required to pay a license fee

This includes music played in public settings by businesses such as promoters, pubs, mobile DJs, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls, and live music venues.

Music Users also include broadcasters such as radio and TV stations which play music publicly, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

Copyright Act

We don’t make the rules, it’s all laid out in the Copyright Act and it is part of South African law.

If the music you play isn’t written, created, performed, published and recorded by you, then it belongs to the Music Creator and you need a licence.

Helping the Music Creators

SAMRO helps Music Creators by licensing their works and collecting licence fees from Music Users – that’s you – and these fees are then paid to the creators as royalties! The fees differ depending on what you use the music for.

Licence
License

Music Users who play music in the course of doing business need to pay a licence fee.

That means music that is not for domestic use.

This includes businesses such as promoters, pubs, mobile DJs, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls and live music venues. It also extends to broadcasters such as radio and TV stations who also play music publicly.

Copyright Act
South African Law

Copyright Act

We don’t make the rules, it’s all laid out in the Copyright Act and it is part of South African law.

If the music you play isn’t written, created, performed, published and recorded by you, then it belongs to the Music Creator and you need a licence.

Creator Royalties
Creator Royalties

Helping the Music Creators

SAMRO helps Music Creators by licensing their works and collecting licence fees from Music Users – that’s you – and these fees are then paid to the creators as royalties! The fees differ depending on what you use the music for.

What is a Music License and Why Do You Need One?

Acquiring a Music Usage Licence from SAMRO allows Music Users permission to play music publicly at their businesses or venues. The funds collected are called “licence fees”. License fees collected from Music Users are paid out to the creators of the music as royalty income.

Each business type has its own unique characteristics, and as such, different types of licenses are required. For example, a radio station that plays dance hits has different licensing requirements compared to a restaurant that uses background music.

STEP-BY-STEP

How to Apply

Obtain your license with ease by following our simple, step-by-step application process.

To begin, all you need to do is complete some paperwork and provide us with a few necessary documents.

SAMRO Consultation

SAMRO provides tailored licensing solutions to meet your unique business needs. An experienced consultant will visit your business to ensure that you get the most out of your music use.

SAMRO Assessment

During the site inspection, our consultant considers various factors, including music usage, venue capacity, and audience size. This ensures that you receive the most appropriate license for your business.

SAMRO License Fees

Once our consultant has assessed your business needs, your account is assigned to a dedicated SAMRO team member. You'll receive personalized service and the most suitable license for your business needs.

Fees

When you obtain a license and pay the associated fees, you're not just legally compliant - you're also supporting the hard-working SAMRO Music Creators who bring us the music we love. The royalties gathered through these fees are passed on to them, helping to sustain and support the local music industry.

Royalties gathered through licence fees are passed on to SAMRO Music Creators.

We gather valuable information about the usage and value of each musical work, which helps us calculate and distribute royalties fairly to all parties involved.

SAMRO is committed to transparency and openly communicates our administrative fees and how they are allocated.

It's important to note that SAMRO only collects licence fees for Performing Rights, while other organizations handle the collection of rights that apply to the musical work.

MUSIC LICENSES

Types of Music Licenses

SAMRO provides Music Users with two types of licences that enable them to use our members' protected works.

Our Broadcasting and General Licensing options are designed to meet the diverse needs of different businesses and ensure that they can legally use music while supporting the music creators who make it all possible.

Broadcasting Licences

SAMRO issues Broadcasting Licences to licensed broadcasters, including TV and Radio broadcasters, allowing them to broadcast music to their audiences.

The licence fees are calculated based on various factors, such as the size and nature of the broadcaster, ensuring that fees are proportional and equitable for all.

As such, larger broadcasters typically pay higher fees than smaller ones. This approach helps to ensure fairness and equity in the licensing process.

General Licences

SAMRO provides licensing services for various types of music users including clubs, bars, malls, restaurants, and music venues that play music publicly.

We assess license fees fairly based on the nature of your business, drawing on our knowledge and experience to determine the most appropriate fee structure for your needs.

This ensures that all music users are able to obtain licenses that are tailored to their individual business requirements.

SUPPORT

FAQs

Still cant find the answer to your question?

What is a Music Usage Licence?

Purchasing a Music Usage Licence from SAMRO gives Music Users permission to play music publicly at their business or venue.

Who needs a Music Usage Licence from SAMRO?

Any venue, business or person that plays background, recorded, broadcast or live music in public must get a music usage licence from SAMRO.

Why is it important to get a Music Usage Licence for my business or venue?

Paying for your music usage licence is good for everyone. It’s good for businesses who enjoy the positive effect that music has on the atmosphere of your establishment.

What are SAMRO’s banking details for the payment of licence fees?

SAMRO
Standard Bank Braamfontein
Account number: 200332376
Branch code: 004805

I have a SAMRO licence, so why do I also need to pay SAMPRA (the South African Music Performance Rights Association)?

SAMRO is copyright administration business, dealing primarily with the administration of music composers’ and authors’ Performing Rights. On the other hand, SAMPRA is a collective licensing society of copyright owners of music sound recordings. Its mandate is to collect and distribute royalties to the members of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) whenever their recordings are broadcast, diffused or communicated to the public.

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