Legal · Version 2026-01
Public Performance Rights
Read this before you run an event. Playing recorded music to a public audience is a licensed activity in almost every country. Gala Groove does not provide that licence, and cannot obtain it for you.
1.Gala Groove licenses nothing
Gala Groove orders a list of song titles. It does not host, stream, transmit, reproduce, or publicly perform any recording. Every licence obligation attaches to the party actually performing the music in public — the venue and the event organiser.
2.What you almost certainly need
United States: blanket public performance licences from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and, depending on repertoire, GMR. Many venues hold these already; confirm in writing that the licence covers your event type and capacity.
United Kingdom: a joint PRS for Music and PPL licence (TheMusicLicence).
Canada: SOCAN and Re:Sound tariffs. Australia: OneMusic Australia. Other jurisdictions have equivalent collecting societies.
3.Consumer streaming accounts are not a licence
Spotify, Apple Music, and similar consumer services are licensed for personal, non-commercial listening only. Their terms of service expressly prohibit public performance and commercial use. Using a personal Spotify Premium account to play music at a public or ticketed event may breach both copyright law and the platform's terms, even where you also hold PRO licences.
Business-licensed background music providers exist for exactly this reason. Discuss the right playback source with your venue.
4.Your confirmation is required
Before an event can go live, the organiser must confirm in the admin area that the venue holds all required public performance rights for the duration of the event. That confirmation is a warranty under the Organiser Terms and is recorded with a timestamp.
5.Consequences of getting this wrong
Unlicensed public performance can expose the venue and organiser to statutory damages, injunctions, and collecting-society enforcement action. Gala Groove provides no indemnity for licensing failures and the organiser indemnifies Gala Groove against related claims.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Obtain your own advice for your jurisdiction and event.
Questions about Gala Groove? Email help@galagroove.com.