FAQs

• I own the recordings, so why do I have to pay again to play it in public?

  • We are often asked “Why do I have to pay PPI a fee to play recordings in my shop/pub/restaurant/office etc. When I already own them?”
    
    Ownership of a recording does not include a right to play it in public. The purchase or acquisition of a sound recording does not give its owner a right to cause that record to be heard in public nor broadcast without a licence. Notices to this effect appear on record labels and packaging.

• What recordings does PPI cover?

  • PPI controls the public performance, broadcasting, and other rights in hundreds of thousands of recordings on thousands of different labels. These include not only Irish recordings but also most recordings available worldwide. The list of recordings in PPI’s repertoire is constantly increasing as new titles are released. A licence from PPI gives you the right to play virtually any sound recording from anywhere in the world.

• What is a "Public Performance"?

  • A “Public Performance” occurs whenever recordings are played to anyone outside the family or domestic circle.

• Do I have to pay PPI as well as IMRO?

  • Excluding live performances, in most other cases, yes.

    IMRO, the Irish Music Rights Organisation, is an entirely separate organisation representing composers and music publishers. Whenever copyright musical works are publicly performed either by way of recordings or live performance, an IMRO licence is required.
    
    For most public performances of recorded music both a PPI and an IMRO licence are required. A Dual Music Licence can be obtained through IMRO.

• I use a background music supply service. Do I still have to pay PPI?

  • Yes. The fees you pay to your supplier don’t include the PPI public performance licence. But make sure that your supplier holds a PPI copying licence, otherwise you could be unwittingly involved in copyright infringement. If you’re not sure, contact us.

• I only use a Jukebox, which my customers pay to use?

  • Even though your customers might pay to use your jukebox, you still need a PPI public performance licence. Once again, check to make sure your jukebox supplier is licensed by PPI to make copies

• I only listen to the news on the radio/TV. Do I still need a licence?

  • Yes. All radio and television broadcasts contain copyright recorded music, therefore a PPI licence is required.

• I have a Television licence - doesn`t that cover its use in public?

  • No. A Television licence does not cover you for the public performance of copyright music. It states that you have paid the appropriate fee towards the cost of public service broadcasting in Ireland.