Do I have to apply for a licence and pay royalties when playing royalty-free music at my event?

There are 2 possibilities:

1) Do you only play live music at your event? Then you only pay authors’ rights royalties, no Fair Remuneration.

  • None of the songs belong to the Sabam repertoire or that of its foreign sister societies? Then we will invoice no authors’ rights royalties and you do not need to apply for a licence.

Note: In this case, please provide us at least 5 days before the event with a complete list of the musical works that will be played. You can use this form. Does this list still contain copyright-protected works? Then you will still have to apply for a licence and pay authors’ rights royalties.

  • Do only some of the songs belong to the Sabam repertoire? Or do you not yet know which works will be played? Then request your licence via MyUnisono at least 5 days before the event and provide us with the complete playlist(s) of the group(s) within 15 days after the event. You will then receive an invoice according to the proportion of protected works.
2) Do you play music during your event via a sound source (e.g. CD, radio, DJ, etc.) whether or not in combination with live music? Then you pay both authors’ rights royalties and Fair Remuneration.
  • In this case, the authors’ rights royalties are not calculated according to the proportion of protected works. In exchange for a fee, however, you may use as many songs from our repertoire as you wish during your event.

Are you not playing any work from our repertoire? Only then will you pay no authors’ rights royalties. That chance is small, though. Because together with its foreign colleagues, Sabam manages more than 95% of the world repertoire. Check here whether or not Sabam represents the music you use.

  • You always pay Fair Remuneration for music you play through a sound source. This is a compensation for the performers of that music, who cannot legally oppose to the playing of their repertoire. Consequently, the Fair Remuneration is always due.

When using music via a sound device, apply for your licence via MyUnisono at least 5 days before the event. Are you playing (partially) royalty-free music? Then mention this in the 'Additional info' step of your application and provide us with the complete playlist within 15 days after your event. Our staff will then automatically send you a correct invoice.

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