How to avoid PPL PRS licence in the UK — if you’re a UK business owner facing rising music licensing costs, you’re not alone. The good news? You can legally play music in your café, salon, gym, or retail space without paying for TheMusicLicence — if you use royalty-free or licence-free music. This guide breaks down exactly how it works, why it’s legal, and how to protect your business while saving hundreds each year.
What Is the PPL PRS Music Licence and Why It Exists
Can You Legally Avoid a Music Licence in the UK?
What Counts as Royalty-Free Music (and What Doesn’t)
Not all “royalty-free” music is truly licence-free for public use. If you want to legally avoid paying for TheMusicLicence, the music you use must meet very specific conditions.
✅ True royalty-free or licence-free music:
These are tracks created by composers who are not registered with PRS or PPL and who offer direct licensing to you (often through a music platform). If your licence includes public/commercial playback rights, then you’re legally allowed to use it in your business without additional fees.
❌ NOT safe to use without a licence:
- Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music – even “royalty-free” playlists on these platforms still include PRS/PPL-registered tracks
- Any commercial music from well-known artists
- Internet radio or broadcast radio stations
- Tracks marked “for personal use only” or missing a public performance licence
To stay compliant and avoid fines, you should:
- Use a music supplier that clearly states “no PPL/PRS licence required”
- Get a licence certificate or written confirmation
- Play only those verified tracks in your business
Done right, royalty-free music offers a completely legal way to play background music — without ever paying TheMusicLicence.
How to Use Licence-Free Music in Your Business Legally
Using royalty-free or licence-free music legally is simple — but it must be done properly. Here’s exactly how to stay compliant while avoiding PRS and PPL fees:
- Source from a verified royalty-free provider:
Only use music from platforms or creators who clearly state their music is not registered with PRS or PPL and includes a commercial/public playback licence. We offer a wide range of products that dont need a PRS PPL Licence. - Get written confirmation or a licence certificate:
This protects your business in case PPL PRS contacts you. Legitimate providers will give you documentation proving you have permission to play the music without TheMusicLicence. - Use only the licensed tracks on your premises:
Do not mix in radio, Spotify, or any copyrighted content. Even one mainstream song reintroduces the legal need for a licence. - Train your staff (if needed):
Make sure employees understand that only approved music should be played — no personal playlists or devices unless cleared. - Keep your licence information on file:
If questioned, you can show proof of your royalty-free licence and that you’re not using any PPL/PRS material.
When these steps are followed, your business can legally play music with zero PRS or PPL fees — all while creating a great customer experience.
Where to Get Music That Doesn’t Require a PPL or PRS Licence
You don’t need to search across multiple sites to find licence-free music — we’ve already done the work for you.
Our library at Get-Audio features a growing collection of professionally mastered tracks that are 100% exempt from PPL and PRS licensing. Every product comes with a built-in commercial playback licence, so you can play music in your business without ever needing TheMusicLicence.
✅ Fully cleared for use in shops, salons, cafés, spas, gyms, offices and more
✅ Includes written permission for public/business use
✅ No streaming, no subscriptions, no hidden fees — you own it outright
✅ Available on USB, CD, or digital formats
✅ All music is non-PRS, non-PPL and verified
Whether you need calming ambience, upbeat retail music, spa sounds, or productivity-enhancing audio, everything we sell is created in-house and comes with licence-free protection.
Play music in your business legally — without paying anyone else, ever.
How to Prove You Don’t Need a Music Licence to PPL PRS
If PPL PRS contacts you about music licensing, you don’t need to panic — as long as you’re using music that’s legally exempt, you’re covered.
Here’s how to prove it:
- Keep your licence certificate or purchase confirmation:
Every audio product from Get-Audio comes with a licence statement confirming that it’s not registered with PPL or PRS and that you have permission to use it in a business setting. - Send this to PPL PRS if asked:
You can simply reply to their inquiry with the documentation we provide. This shows you’re using legally compliant music and not avoiding a legitimate licence obligation. - Only use the music you’ve licensed:
Don’t mix in Spotify, YouTube, radio, or anything that’s commercially released. One mistake can invalidate your exemption. - Stay consistent:
Using exclusively licence-free music keeps you legally protected and saves you from ever needing TheMusicLicence again.
As long as you use properly licensed, non-PPL/PRS music, you are fully compliant — and we’ll help you prove it.
FAQs: Avoiding the PPL PRS Licence in the UK
Do I legally need TheMusicLicence to play music in my business?
Only if you're using commercial music that's registered with PRS or PPL — such as tracks from Spotify, radio, YouTube, or CDs by known artists. If you use royalty-free music that's not managed by those organisations, and you've been given public playback rights, you're legally exempt.
Can I play Spotify or YouTube in my shop if I pay for a subscription?
No. Even paid accounts like Spotify Premium or YouTube Music are for personal use only. Playing them in a business setting still requires a PRS and PPL licence.
How can I prove I don’t need a licence?
By showing documentation from your music supplier (like Get-Audio) that confirms your tracks are not registered with PRS or PPL and are cleared for public use. We provide this with every purchase.
Is royalty-free music the same as copyright-free?
No. Royalty-free music is still copyrighted, but the rights holder gives you permission to use it without paying ongoing royalties. Copyright-free (public domain) music is rare and usually very old. What matters is whether the tracks are exempt from PRS and PPL control.
What happens if I get a letter from PPL PRS?
Don't ignore it — but don’t worry either. Just respond with your documentation showing you're using 100% licence-free music. If your proof is clear, they’ll mark your business as exempt and stop further contact.
✅ Ready to Play Music Without a Licence?
You don’t need PPL. You don’t need PRS. You just need the right music — with the right licence.
At Get-Audio, we provide professionally produced music that’s 100% exempt from PRS and PPL fees — with a licence certificate included.
✔️ Use in cafés, salons, gyms, shops, and more
✔️ No contracts, subscriptions, or hidden costs
✔️ Choose from USB, CD, or instant digital access
🔎 About the Author
Audio Industria is an audio licensing specialist and founder of GET Audio, a UK-based media company focused on royalty-free music and sound production.
With over a decade in the music and content licensing industry, Our company has helped hundreds of businesses avoid unnecessary fees by using legally compliant audio solutions.
“Our goal is simple — to help UK businesses play music legally, affordably, and confidently, without getting trapped in ongoing licence fees.”