FAQ Category: FAQs for Music Users

Yes. Our licence fees are adjusted annually in line with changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to reflect inflation and ensure fairness over time.

It doesn’t matter who within your organisation is listening to the music. What matters is that the music is being played outside of a private, domestic environment, which legally qualifies as a public performance.

Even if only your staff hear the music via TV or radio in the workplace, it still requires an IMRO Dual Music Licence to ensure you have the proper permission from copyright owners.

No, IMRO and PPI licence fees are charged on an annual basis to cover music use throughout the year. This ensures consistent and fair compensation for music creators, regardless of how long the licence is held within that period.

No. The IMRO Dual Music Licence combines both IMRO and PPI music copyrights into a single licence agreement. By law, businesses in Ireland that play music need two separate permissions:        

• One for the public performance of musical works (on behalf of composers, songwriters, and music publishers), and ·       
• One for the public performance of sound recordings (on behalf of record producers and performers).

Until recently, these licences were managed separately—IMRO handled the musical works licence, and PPI managed the sound recordings licence. However, since January 1st, 2016, both licences have been merged into the Dual Music Licence, which IMRO now administers, making it simpler and more convenient for your business.

Yes, having an IMRO Dual Music Licence is a legal requirement for all businesses that use copyright music, regardless of size.

To ensure fairness, IMRO and PPI have designed tariffs that consider the size of your business and how you use music within your premises. This means the licence fee you pay will be appropriate to your business’s scale and music usage.

The cost of an IMRO Dual Music Licence varies depending on the type and size of your premises.

To find the tariff that applies to your business, please click here to view the different premises categories and their relevant licence fees.

Yes, you do. An IMRO Dual Music Licence is required whenever you use a TV or radio in a public or business setting, even if you’re only watching or listening to news channels like Sky News or BBC News.

This is because copyright music is often included in these broadcasts—whether in the programme’s theme music, background music during reports, or in advertisements aired on the channel. To use this music legally, your business must hold the appropriate licence.

In many cases, yes. Classical and traditional music pieces are often still protected by copyright and require permission from the copyright holders for any public performance.

Copyright typically lasts for 70 years after the composer’s death, so if the music you use falls within this period, you will need an IMRO licence to play it legally in public or commercial settings.

Yes. Under Section 37(2) of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000, the copyright owner’s permission is required for any public performance of their work.

When staff use their own radios in the workplace, the employer is effectively authorising the public performance of music on the business premises. Therefore, you must hold an IMRO Dual Music Licence to legally cover the use of music, regardless of who owns the device.

We understand that licensing can sometimes feel complicated, but it’s important to know that playing copyright music in public without a licence is against the law.

Under Section 140 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000, businesses that use music without the proper licence could face significant penalties, including fines or other legal action.

By getting an IMRO Dual Music Licence, you’re not only staying on the right side of the law but also supporting the talented creators whose music helps make your business environment special.

We’re here to help make the process easy—so you can focus on what matters most: your business.

While some businesses may not yet have a licence, it’s important to understand that playing copyright music in public without the proper licence is against the law. An IMRO Dual Music Licence gives you the legal right to use a vast catalogue of music in your business, ensuring you’re fully compliant with copyright regulations.

By holding a licence, you support the creators—composers, songwriters, publishers, and performers—whose music helps enhance your business environment. Since January 2016, the Dual Music Licence combines permissions previously managed separately by IMRO and PPI, simplifying the process for businesses to obtain the necessary licences.

Getting Licenced not only protects your business from potential legal risks but also helps maintain a fair and vibrant music industry.

Yes. An IMRO Dual Music Licence is required for the public use of any copyright music played through mechanical means—including music played on a PC.

This applies whether you’re streaming music from services like YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud, or playing downloaded tracks. If the music is used in a business or public setting, a licence is necessary to ensure you’re compliant with copyright law.