Music Licensing Requirements for Businesses in New York

Music Licensing Requirements in New York

All businesses in New York that play music publicly must comply with federal copyright law, which requires public performance licenses from performing rights organizations (PROs).

Required Licenses

• ASCAP: Covers ~900,000 songwriters and 18M+ works
• BMI: Covers 1.4M+ songwriters and 22.4M+ works
• SESAC: Invitation-only, covers ~30,000 affiliates
• GMR: Newer PRO covering additional works

How to Comply in New York

The easiest way to ensure compliance is to use a licensed commercial music service like Mood Media, Rockbot, Soundtrack Your Brand, or Cloud Cover Music. These services include all necessary PRO licenses in their subscription, so you don't need to negotiate separately with each organization.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in New York

Businesses in New York caught playing unlicensed music face statutory damages of $750 to $30,000 per song, with willful infringement penalties up to $150,000 per song. PROs actively audit businesses and have filed lawsuits against establishments across New York.

New York Music Providers

All major commercial music providers serve businesses in New York, including Mood Media, Rockbot, Stingray, Soundtrack Your Brand, Cloud Cover Music, and others.