If your company uses music within your premises in any way from playing background music to having live performances or even using the songs that stream through your speakers, chances are that you may have to obtain a macp ppm prm license prior to carrying out these activities legally. Many businesspeople feel that they can get away by having a personal streaming subscription but this is not the case as the use of music in commercial ways is under a different copyright legislation in Malaysia.
What Is MACP PPM PRM?
So, what is macp ppm prm exactly? These are three separate music copyright licensing bodies in Malaysia, and each one protects a different layer of a single song.
MACP Covers the Composition
The Music Authors Copyright Protection (MACP) organization is an organization that represents composers, songwriters, and music publishers. This organization licenses the composition and lyrics as songwriters hold the right to control the use of their written work irrespective of the artists that perform it.
PPM Covers the Sound Recording
PPM or Public Performance Malaysia is an association which protects the rights of recording companies. This organization protects the actual recording of the particular music. One composition may be recorded in different ways; PPM’s license protects the particular recording and not the composition.
PRM Covers the Performer
The third layer pertains to the rights of the artists who sing and perform on the recording of that particular song. All three entities together mean that by playing a single song on your property, you may find yourself needing all three layers of copyright to be licensed, and thus, you need a music copyright license malaysia from more than one entity rather than one.
If your business also involves live entertainment on top of recorded music, it is worth reviewing your entertainment license requirements alongside your copyright clearance, since the two are handled by different authorities.
Who Needs a MACP PPM PRM License?
Music coverage is necessary for any enterprise which is using music within its premises, and the category of establishments which require music licensing is wider than what many business owners can imagine. For example, restaurants, retail stores, hotels, fitness centers, salons, and event spaces are among those who require a music license.
Does Streaming Spotify or YouTube Count?
Yes. It is often thought that having a subscription to a personal service is sufficient, but it should be remembered that personal streaming licenses only apply to individual consumption, not public commercial performance. Playing music through personal accounts on Spotify or YouTube in a commercial environment necessitates the macp ppm prm license, no matter how it is played.
How to Apply for a MACP PPM PRM License
The applications are normally applied to the particular body, since MACP, PPM, and PRM are different entities and do not function under one combined license issuing entity. Every application would need some basic information about the business, including how the music is being used on the premises (e.g. background music or live performances), as well as the size of the facility, as the fee scales with that.
Businesses that already hold other approvals, such as a WRT permit for trade activities, sometimes assume music licensing falls under the same umbrella, but this is a completely separate process handled outside of standard business or premises licensing.
You can find further details on licensing scope directly through the official MACP website, which outlines composition rights and registration information for businesses and rights holders alike.
What Happens If You Play Music Without a License?
Failure to have the required clearance on the copyright may lead to enforcement actions by the licensing body because they monitor commercial properties for any unlicensed use. In addition to the legal implications, copyright concerns may also affect compliance checks for your property.
Let Maxime City Co. Handle It For You
Navigating three separate licensing bodies for a single music copyright license malaysia requirement can be confusing, especially when each has its own application process and fee structure. Maxime City Co. handles the full macp ppm prm license application on your behalf, coordinating with all relevant bodies so you are not left figuring out which license applies to your specific setup.
Once you know which bodies apply to your business, you can apply for your macp ppm prm license through our team, and we will coordinate directly with each licensing body on your behalf, keeping your business fully compliant without the back and forth of dealing with multiple organizations separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need All Three Licenses, or Just One?
In almost all cases, yes. Since the MACP, PPM, and PRM cover different layers of a musical composition, playing recorded music means having to deal with all three at once, and therefore the business is likely to have to pay all applicable organizations.
Is Live Music Different From Recorded Music In This Aspect?
Yes. Public Performance License issued by PPM applies only to recordings, while the live performance needs a separate consideration, which often involves MACP in addition.
How Expensive Are The Licenses?
The price varies depending on the size of your venue, the kind of business you run, and the way you use the music, as each organization uses its own system of fees.