Rights & licensing

The basics of music licensing

Playing music in a store, restaurant or gym is not the same as playing it at home. This page breaks down the basics of copyright, licensing and how to choose the right track for your business – with or without third-party fees.

What does the law say about public music use?

When you play music in a commercial setting – such as a retail store, café or gym – it’s considered public performance. In most countries, this is regulated by local copyright laws, which require permission from music rights holders.

There are typically two types of organisations involved:

  • Those representing songwriters and composers.
  • Those representing performing artists and musicians.

These rights holders, like PPL and PRS in the UK, are entitled to compensation when their music is used in public spaces. The cost is usually based on factors such as venue size, number of visitors, and how central music is to the customer experience.

Even if you use a personal streaming platform like Spotify, YouTube or a radio station, separate licensing agreements are often required for public use. These services are intended for private listening and don’t cover business environments.

Read more about PPL and PRS

Licensing models, rights & responsibilities

Licensing can seem complex – but we’re here to make it easier. At Royal Streaming, we offer two distinct paths:

When delivering commercial music, distribution may in some cases be provided through our partner Soundtrack Your Brand. Their platform enables professional music delivery in commercial environments in accordance with applicable licensing frameworks. Separate agreements with local performance rights organisations are still required.

If you choose our direct licensed and royalty-free music from Epidemic Sound – everything is taken care of. All rights are cleared in advance, so there’s no need for separate agreements or additional fees. This model offers a simple, secure and cost-effective solution where music, rights and support are bundled into one professional service.

music rights royal streaming

Two ways to get the perfect sound

You can choose between direct licensed music (also called royalty free music) and commercial music – two different paths to a vibrant soundscape. No matter which route you take, you’ll get a music service designed for your commercial space.

Direct licensed music Commercial music

music service royal streaming

FAQ

Royal Streaming develops and operates this music app. We are the company behind both FitnessPlayer and SchoolPlayer, providing professional music solutions for fitness operators, schools, businesses and organizations across Europe.

Read more about Royal Streaming.

Make sure you are using the correct email address and password. If the problem persists, try resetting your password or contact support.

Open the app, select “Create Playlist” and start adding songs from the available music catalog.

Open the playlist you want to edit and use the available tools to customize it to your needs. You can add, remove and reorder tracks, create smooth transitions between songs, trim tracks, add pauses, adjust BPM and insert timers for intervals or class structure.

All playlists are downloaded to your device before playback begins. This ensures a stable and reliable listening experience, even in environments with poor or unstable internet connections.

You can connect your device to compatible speakers using Bluetooth, AirPlay or a wired connection, depending on your setup.

Before submitting a song request, please make sure the song is not already available in the app. Our search engine is sensitive to spelling, special characters and spacing, so we recommend trying a few different search variations before concluding that a song is missing.

Please also note that music availability depends on licensing agreements and territory restrictions. If a song is unavailable, it may not currently be licensed for your region or included in your organization’s music catalog.

If you still can’t find the track, you’re always welcome to submit a song request through the music web for review.

We’re always happy to receive song requests. While we can’t guarantee that every track can be added, you can submit your request through the song request page in the web app and we’ll review what’s possible.

If possible, please include a link to the song in the comment field to help us process your request faster.

Yes. If your organization allows it, our team can help assign administrator permissions. Contact support and we’ll assist you.

Check your spam or junk folder first. If you still haven’t received it after a few minutes, contact support for assistance.

We work with everything from retail and gyms to hotels and restaurants.

Royal Streaming has extensive experience in providing music solutions for a wide range of businesses – from large chains to independent venues. Our clients include stores, restaurants, cafés, hotels, gyms and organizations in the public sector. Our strength lies in understanding the unique needs of each industry and tailoring music solutions accordingly.

Ready-made playlists are quick and professional – custom music is curated by a music designer based on your brand identity.

Our ready-made playlists are carefully curated music channels designed for different industries, spaces and moods. They’re ideal for businesses that want a fast and professional way to create the right atmosphere. A tailor-made music profile is created by a music designer specifically for your business – based on your brand, audience and the feeling you want to create. The result is a unique music concept that strengthens your identity and creates a more personal and engaging customer experience.

A music designer creates a sound profile that reflects your brand.

Being a music designer is a craft. Our creative team of music designers works to understand your brand, your target audience, and the mood you want to create. They carefully select music styles, tempo, and flow to build a soundscape that enhances the customer experience and fits your environment. It’s about more than song selection – it’s strategic design in audio format.

Yes, we can schedule music based on time of day or day of the week.

Absolutely! We can design music profiles that shift depending on the time – for example, calm music in the morning and more energetic tracks during lunch hours. You can also schedule music based on weekdays, seasonal campaigns or special events. Everything is easily managed via our platform or streaming box.

Pricing depends on the solution, music type and number of zones.

Our pricing is based on the music setup you choose – from ready-made playlists to fully customised sound profiles with a dedicated music designer. The number of locations or playback zones also affects the price. We offer flexible options for both small businesses and large chains. Contact us for a tailored quote.

No, Spotify is not licensed for business use.

Consumer streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube or Apple Music are only licensed for personal use. To play music legally in a store, gym, restaurant or any other public space, you need the appropriate licences. We provide fully legal music solutions for commercial use – with licensing, tech and music included.

Direct licensed music is royalty-free, while commercial music features popular tracks.

Direct licensed music includes royalty-free music from Epidemic Sound and other artists who grant Royal Streaming the rights to use their music without additional payments to third-party copyright organisations. This makes it cost-effective and easy to use. Commercial music, on the other hand, features well-known songs by famous artists and typically requires extra licences. We’ll help you choose the right option based on your brand identity, customer experience and business needs.

Yes – our music service scales easily across markets.

Our platform supports everything from single locations to global retail chains. We provide centralised music control, brand consistency and multi-market support for both hardware and licensing. Whether you’re running a local shop or expanding across borders, we’ve got you covered.

Yes, our music service is delivered through a music box that easily connects to your store’s sound system and internet connection. The box is pre-configured before shipping – you simply plug it into power, network and speakers. Once it’s connected, the music starts automatically according to your schedule.

Not sure what applies to you? We’ll help you choose the right track – and understand the rules.

Contact us today