What Is a Music Background Service Without Royalties?
In simple terms:
It’s a music solution that lets shops, cafés, hair salons, or any physical space play music legally without having to pay royalties to music licensing organizations like ASCAP, BMI, GEMA, or PRS.
Analogy:
Think of royalty-free music like buying a reusable shopping bag. You pay once (or subscribe) and can use it again and again, unlike plastic bags (royalty-based music), which you must pay for every time you use them.
Legal Framework
In most countries, playing music in a commercial space—such as a retail shop, café, salon, or gym—requires a public performance license from a Performing Rights Organization (PRO) like GEMA (Germany), SACEM (France), PRS (UK), or ASCAP/BMI (USA), because the act of broadcasting music publicly (even via radio, Spotify, or YouTube) is considered a separate right from private listening, unless the music is sourced from a licensed royalty-free service that explicitly grants commercial public performance rights, which legally replaces the need to pay PRO fees.
Why Royalty-Free Music Matters for Shops: Legal, Safe, and Customer-Friendly
Playing music in your business shapes the customer experience—but doing it without the right license can lead to legal issues. Services like Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Music are licensed only for personal use, not for public or commercial environments. If you play copyrighted music without a proper public performance license, you may face fines, legal notices, or unexpected visits from local copyright enforcement bodies like GEMA, PRS, or ASCAP.
For example, a clothing store using Spotify to stream pop hits without a commercial license could be fined by their local PRO. A café in France might receive a bill from SACEM even if the music is only in the background. To stay protected and avoid ongoing royalty fees, many businesses switch to royalty-free background music services such as Audioblanket that include commercial use in their license—giving them peace of mind and full legal coverage.
Pros of Using Royalty-Free Music in Shops
Legal Compliance
You avoid legal risks by using music that includes the correct commercial license—no surprise visits or fines from PROs.
Cost-Effective
Most royalty-free services have a flat fee or subscription model, which can be significantly cheaper than paying ongoing royalties.
Business-Friendly Playlists
Many services offer curated playlists designed to fit specific business types—like relaxed music for salons or upbeat tracks for retail.
No PRO Hassles
You don’t need to register with performance rights organizations or report what you play—they’re not involved.
Consistent Quality
Music is often professionally produced and consistent in tone, helping you create a strong brand atmosphere.
Cons of Using Royalty-Free Music in Shops
No Mainstream Hits
You won’t find popular chart songs—most royalty-free tracks are from independent artists or composers.
Less Variety
Compared to streaming platforms, royalty-free libraries may feel limited if you need fresh content daily.
Upfront Research Needed
Not all services include commercial rights by default—you must read the license carefully before use.
Brand Fit May Vary
Generic music might not always match your store’s identity as closely as custom-curated solutions or well-known songs.
Common Misconceptions regarding royalty-free background music services.
“I pay for Spotify or YouTube Premium, so I can use it in my shop.”
This is incorrect. Personal music subscriptions—Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Premium—grant listening rights for individual, private use only. They do not include public performance rights required for commercial environments.
Example:
A hair salon streams Spotify over Bluetooth speakers during business hours. Even with a paid account, this use violates copyright law. The salon is publicly broadcasting music to clients in a commercial space, which requires a separate license from a performing rights organization (like GEMA or PRS). Without it, the business is exposed to legal action or fines.
To remain compliant, businesses must either obtain a license from their local PRO or use a royalty-free music service that explicitly includes public performance rights in its terms.
“Nobody checks.”
They do. Performing rights organizations regularly audit businesses—often unannounced—to ensure compliance with music licensing laws. If you’re using unlicensed music, you’re legally responsible, even if you didn’t know.
Example:
A small boutique plays a YouTube playlist on loop. Months later, they receive a fine from their country’s PRO after a random check. Claiming ignorance doesn’t remove liability—compliance is expected at all business sizes.
“It’s background music—it doesn’t matter.”
Legally, volume or intent doesn’t change the requirement. Whether music is central or simply playing in the background, if it’s heard in a commercial space, it qualifies as a public performance.
Example:
A dental clinic plays ambient classical music to calm patients. Because the music is audible in a public business setting, the same licensing rules apply. Even passive listening in commercial spaces is considered performance under copyright law.
To stay compliant and avoid licensing issues, businesses can use services like AudioBlanket, which offers a yearly subscription to royalty-free music legally cleared for commercial use—no PRO fees, no copyright risks.
