On-Hold Music: Rights & Usage
Playing music in your corporate telephone system is subject to legislation. Learn how to easily avoid high fines and annual licensing invoices from PRS or ASCAP.
When a customer calls your company and is placed in the queue, you naturally want to make a professional impression. Silence or a boring, monotonous beep is disastrous for the customer experience. Many companies therefore choose a melody. However, as soon as you play music publicly (and a telephone line falls under public performance), you have to deal with copyrights.
The role of PRS, PPL, ASCAP, and BMI
In the United Kingdom, PRS for Music manages the performance rights of composers and publishers, while PPL represents performers and record labels. In the United States, performance rights organizations (PROs) such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC collect licensing fees. If you play copyrighted music on your telephone lines, you are legally required to pay annual licensing fees to these organizations.
The amount of this fee often depends on the size of your company or the number of telephone lines. This can quickly add up to hundreds of pounds or dollars per year. Playing music without a valid license can lead to hefty fines afterwards.
What is royalty-free music?
The solution to avoid these recurring costs is the use of 100% royalty-free music. This is music created by composers who have consciously chosen not to join PRS, ASCAP, BMI, or other performance rights organizations.
Please note: much of the 'royalty-free' music available online is only partially royalty-free. Often you still have to pay for public use (performance rights). It is therefore essential that you receive a written certificate from the provider guaranteeing that no fees are due to copyright organizations.
The benefits of custom on-hold music
Standard royalty-free music often sounds like elevator music: boring and cheap. By choosing a custom track from BusinessBeats.ai you get:
- A unique sound that perfectly aligns with your company's branding. (Check out our :Real Estate Office On-Hold Music case).
- Engaging voice-over messages (e.g. opening hours, holiday announcements) recorded by professional voice actors.
- An official clearance document with which you can demonstrate to copyright organizations that no license is required.
- No recurring annual subscription or license fees. A one-time investment is sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay copyright fees for on-hold music?
Yes, if you play copyrighted music (such as well-known radio hits) in your phone queue, you are legally required to pay annual licensing fees to organizations like PRS and PPL (in the UK) or ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC (in the US).
How can I avoid copyright fees?
You can completely avoid these licensing fees by using 100% royalty-free on-hold music, produced by composers who are not affiliated with these copyright management societies. BusinessBeats.ai delivers such music including an exemption certificate which fully protects you.