What is meant by “public performance”?

A public performance of copyright music occurs when music is played outside of a private or domestic setting – for example, in a business, workplace, venue, or any location where people gather beyond family and close friends.

This includes music played in shops, restaurants, gyms, offices, hotels, public events, or streamed in waiting areas. Under copyright law, such use requires permission from the rights holders, as it constitutes making the music available to the public.