The Most Common Music Mistake UK Businesses Make (Most Don’t Know It’s Illegal)

Thousands of UK cafés, restaurants, salons and shops make the same mistake every day and most have no idea it’s illegal:

👉 Using Spotify or Apple Music in their business.

If you’re playing music through a personal streaming account, even in the background, your business is technically breaking copyright law. This can lead to surprise visits from PRS, PPL, or PPL PRS Ltd and in some cases, fines.

Here’s the simple explanation of why, and what you should do instead.

Streaming services are designed for personal use only.

The terms and conditions are very clear:

• You can listen at home

• You can listen on personal devices

• You cannot play it in a commercial setting

This includes:

• Restaurants

• Cafés

• Pubs

• Retail shops

• Spas and salons

• Gyms

• Offices with customers

Why? Because Spotify does not give your business the rights to publicly perform the music on its platform. If you play it publicly, you’re effectively broadcasting copyrighted music without permission.

Even if you have a paid subscription, it doesn’t matter.

👉 Spotify Premium still does NOT give you business-use rights

When you play commercial music publicly two organisations are involved:

PRS for Music

Covers the rights of songwriters and composers.
(e.g., the person who wrote the song)

PPL

Covers the rights of record labels and performers.
(e.g., the singer, the band, the label)

Most businesses must pay both.

This is why you sometimes hear people say, “We’ve paid PRS… why do we also have to pay PPL?”

Because they are two separate copyrights.

No.

Spotify has licences to stream music to individuals.

It does not have licences to allow your business to play it publicly.

Which means if you use Spotify in your restaurant or shop without PRS/PPL, your business:

• ✔ Is not legally covered

• ✔ Could be contacted by PRS or PPL inspectors

• ✔ Could risk fines or backdated fees

And if you’re a small business, that’s not a pleasant surprise.

There are three legal ways to use music commercially in the UK:

Option 1: Pay PRS + PPL to use commercial music

If you want to play hits from Beyoncé, Adele, Ed Sheeran or Bollywood soundtracks:

• You must pay PRS

• You must pay PPL

• You must NOT use Spotify — you need a business music service

This is the most expensive option, and pricing is based on:

• Square footage

• Type of business

• How you use music

• Number of premises

Option 2: Use a Royalty-Free Library

These are libraries where you buy tracks you can legally use without PRS/PPL fees.

However:

• You must buy individual licences

• You must double-check usage rights

• Many tracks sound generic

• It doesn't always suit hospitality environments

Option 3: Use a Purpose-Built, PRS-Free, PPL-Free Music Service Like SIBEE

Sibee offers a simpler, safer, cheaper option for UK businesses.

What makes SIBEE different?

✔ No PRS fees

✔ No PPL fees

✔ Legal for business use

✔ Unlimited playback for one subscription price

✔ All music is fully owned by Sibee

Our music is owned by us and we share our library with you to play in your business

This means:

• You do NOT need PRS

• You do NOT need PPL

It is one of the simplest ways for UK hospitality businesses to stay compliant.

The confusion comes from two things:

1. People think Spotify Premium = legal music for businesses.

It does not.

2. People assume PRS covers everything.

It doesn’t you need PRS and PPL for commercial music.

This is why the mistake is so common.
Nobody is trying to break the law- they just don’t know the rules.

How SIBEE Makes Life Easier

With SIBEE:

• You get fresh, original music designed for restaurants, cafés, salons and shops

• You can play it all day, every day

• You’re legally covered with no extra fees

• Cost is predictable and simple-one payment renewed annually

• You never deal with PRS or PPL

• You never risk using well known streaming platforms illegally

It’s the stress-free option.

In Summary

❌ Using Spotify in your business is illegal

❌ Using commercial music requires PRS + PPL

❌ Ignoring this can lead to fines or backdated charges

✔ Sibee gives you legal business-use music

✔ No PRS or PPL needed

✔ One low subscription cost

✔ Professionally produced tracks made just for businesses