Spotify is one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world, offering a vast selection of music for individual users. However, many people wonder if it is possible to use this service to play music in commercial venues such as restaurants, cafes, shops, or beauty salons.
The answer is clear: Spotify does not allow public music playback, and using this platform for business purposes may lead to legal consequences.
Spotify is for private use only
According to Spotify’s terms of service, the platform is intended for personal and non-commercial use only. This means that:
- You cannot use Spotify to play music in public places such as restaurants, bars, gyms, or shops.
- Spotify’s license covers only private listening and does not allow commercial use of the music.
- If a violation is detected, Spotify has the right to suspend or delete the user’s account.
Public music playback requires licensing fees
Even if someone plays music in a venue using their Spotify account, they are still required to pay licensing fees to collective management organizations (CMOs). These organizations represent authors’ rights and collect royalties for public music playback.
Risks of playing Spotify music without a license
If an establishment plays music from Spotify without proper licensing:
- The owner may face fines or other legal penalties.
- Inspections by organizations like collective management societies could result in a demand for payment of outstanding royalties with penalties.
- In severe cases, legal action may be taken for copyright infringement.
How to legally play music in your venue
If you want to play music legally in your business, you have several options:
- Use licensed business music providers who offer playlists designed for commercial use, eliminating the need to pay additional royalties.
- Obtain a license from collective management organizations (e.g., PRS, ASCAP, BMI) to legally play copyrighted music.
- Choose royalty-free music from providers collaborating with independent artists, eliminating payments to CMOs.
Conclusion
Spotify is an excellent platform for home music listening, but it cannot be used for commercial playback. Even if someone uses Spotify in a public space, they are still required to pay licensing fees to collective management organizations.
To avoid legal issues and additional costs, consider using professional business music providers who offer legal solutions tailored to business needs.