Pay to play music in public
MUSICIANS are losing thousands of rand in royalties as a result of music played in public spaces without permission.
The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) requires any venue, business or person that plays background, recorded, broadcast or live music in public must get a usage licence.
Included in this list are pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, shopping malls, retail stores, hair dressers, spaza shops, shebeens, car washes, taxis, churches, schools, non-profit organisations, community-based organisation and any public show uses music.
“We assess your licence fees fairly, according to the nature of your business using our knowledge and experience to arrive at the most appropriate fee structure,” according to Samro.
“A consultant visits the premises and conducts an inspection and an assessment of the nature of your operation.
“The consultant takes many things into account including the use of the music, capacity and number of people that can benefit from the use of the music.”
The licence fee is used by Samro to pay the creator of the music.
Details: www.samro.org.za
