Do we need a copyright licence to play music at our school events?

Q:

Do we need a copyright licence to play music at events held in the school?

A:

If music is only being played on the school premises, then it is covered by the school's premises license.

Other music uses:

  • If you are uploading videos which contain music to sites such as YouTube, then you need to consult their terms & conditions as the Performing Rights Society licenses the hosting website.
  • If music is going on the school or PC/PTA website, then you will need the Limited Online Music Licence (LOML).
  • If you wish to put music onto a physical product (DVD, CD) and you are distributing the product yourselves, then you will need the Limited Manufacture Licence.
  • If you have a video that contains any advertising, branding or logos or is for promotional uses, if you have music for background to a webpage, you will need to seek publishers' approval and then apply for a Performing Right Online Licence (PROL).