How to Ensure that your Music Venue follows The Rights of Public Performance

A Guide By: Johanna Sanguinetti

What are Public Performance Rights?

Public performance Rights are used to pay a royalty to the composer of a song for the right to perform or play their song in public.

When would you need to Obtain these rights?

You may need to obtain Public Performance Rights, whenever you perform in public a song that you did not write yourself, or play recorded music in public, such as at a club, restaurant, concert, on the radio, or streaming in the internet.

What are Common Uses of Public Performance Rights?

Common uses of Public Performance Rights include background music at retail stores and restaurants, playlists for on-air and web radio stations, concerts, shows, and web streaming.

What does this have to do with a Concert Venue?

In the entertainment industry, it is very important that everybody has a permit for all of their performing. If a certain venue wanted to host an open Mic night, they would need the proper Public Performance License to ensure that this performance was legal.

What is a Concert Venue?

A venue is a place where things happen, especially a concert, or conference. This venue could be anything from an arena to a small coffee house. If there is music playing in it and people coming to watch, then it is a concert venue.

What is the license Requirement?

No person shall operate a music venue within the city limits without a valid music venue license, except those on properties for which a use permit was issued allowing music performances prior to the adoption of this chapter and in accordance with any applicable conditions.

Sources

• http://www.bmi.com/licensing/entry/venues_and_music_clubs

• http://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Sonoma/html/Sonoma05/Sonoma0534.html#5.34.030

• https://www.easysonglicensing.com/Pages/About/Types%20of%20Music%20Licenses/Public%20Performance.aspx

• http://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/orlando/nightlife/live-music/