Music Licensing: What You Need to Know

When you play copyrighted music in public — even short clips — it is considered a public performance under copyright law. That means the songwriters, performers, and publishers are owed royalties. These royalties are collected and managed by organizations called Performing Rights Organizations (PROs).

If your venue already plays background music, has live bands, karaoke, or a jukebox, you most likely already hold the correct licence.

Who Needs a Licence:

Any public venue that plays copyrighted music needs a performance licence. This includes:

  • Bars, breweries, and restaurants

  • Clubs and member-based venues

  • Hotels and event spaces

  • DJs, MCs, and entertainers

  • Organizers of one-off or corporate events

If the music can be heard by customers, guests, or the general public, a licence is required.

United States:

In the U.S., there are four main Performing Rights Organizations:

  • ASCAP

  • BMI

  • SESAC

  • GMR (Global Music Rights)

Each represents different songwriters and publishers. Most venues hold licences from all four to cover all types of music played on-site.

Typical combined annual cost: about $1,000–$2,000 USD, depending on venue size and music use.

If your bar uses a service such as TouchTunes or Rockbot, some music may already be covered, but those licences usually apply only to music played through their platforms, not to other events like Music Bingo or live performances.

Canada

In Canada, there are two main organizations that manage music rights:

  • SOCAN – represents composers and publishers

  • Re:Sound – represents recording artists and record companies

Together, these two licences cover all public performances of music in Canada, including Music Bingo.

Typical combined annual cost: about $500–$1,000 CAD, depending on capacity and frequency of use.

One-Off Events

If you are running a single event such as a fundraiser or private function, most PROs offer event licences that are simple and inexpensive — usually under $100.

What Mix Tape Music Bingo Covers

Mix Tape Music Bingo provides the playlists, bingo cards, and online player used for the game. We do not supply or include public performance licences, as those are venue-specific.

From our Terms & Conditions:

“You are solely responsible for obtaining the correct and relevant licenses or permissions for the public performance of music at your venue. This includes, but is not limited to, any required licenses from performing rights organizations (PROs), such as SOCAN, ASCAP, BMI, or other applicable music licensing bodies in your region.”

In Summary

  • If you already have a music licence for background music or entertainment, you are likely covered for Music Bingo.

  • If you are unsure, check with your local performing rights organization.

  • Once licensed, you can host Music Bingo, karaoke, live music, or other entertainment confidently and legally.

Questions?

If you are uncertain about what applies to your situation, you can contact us at hello@mixtapemusicbingo.com.
We’re happy to help point you in the right direction.