Do I Need a License for Internet Radio
In this post we are going to give you some idea what is involved to start your own online radio station.
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT to be taken as legal advice and we strongly recommend you to contact the correct licensing authorities in your country before undertaking any broadcasting.
With so many online streaming services available these days and its still continuing to grow. With no look of it slowing down at all anytime soon it will only continue to grow with so many devices available for us to access these online services.
Your probably thinking of starting an internet radio station for a hobby or to build it up into something more. Maybe just have a bit of fun playing some music you enjoy which you would like to share with others. The question is do I need a license right, it comes down to what do you wish to broadcast.
Do you want to play copyright music or simply do a talk show online, or maybe talk about sports. If copyright music is used that is music owned by a record label you will require a license.
What Can I do:
If you want to host your own talk show, you do not need a license to broadcast yourself talking about topics you wish to discuss.
With the current radio stations you often hear ( terrestrial radio AM-FM ) frequencies. They pay a license to broadcast over the air with internet radio stations you do NOT need a license to broadcast your stream. You will only need a license to play copyright music.
How d0 I Obtain a License to Play Copyright Music:
If you choose to play copyright music, that will require a license from the relevant licensing authorities in your country in order to do so. All countries have there own licensing rules and terms which will need to be carried out.
Below we have added some countries for you to contact them directly for all the correct advice. If your country is not in my list below please do your research to find the correct authorities. It will guide you on the right path to assist you on your journey within your country.
Please find below some Licensing Bodies you may wish to call for further information.
Australia: APRA AMCOS also PPCA
Canada: SOCAN
USA: SOUND EXCHANGE and ASCAP & BMI
PLEASE NOTE: By obtaining a license to play copyright music from any one country. It does NOT grant you the right to play music worldwide. You must apply for a license in each country you wish to broadcast to. For example if we are only licensed to only play music in Canada, Geo Blocking the rest of the world will be required.
To often we see many internet radio stations advertising that they can be found world wide. Wonder how many do have the correct license to do so.
In the short to long term it is not worth the risk to broadcast all over the world without the correct licenses in place eventually you will get caught. The consequences can be severe but each country have there own penalties.
Royalty Free Music:
You probably have heard about royalty free music right. I will just play royalty free music and not worry about copyright music. You will soon learn that you still need to pay for it however you pay for a life time license.
This means no ongoing costs unlike copyright music so a one off payment and no more to pay. Make sure to check there license terms to be certain you can use it and is suitable for your requirements.
Lets Look at Some Royalty Free Sites:
Below are some websites which can help with royalty free music, you will find many others out there.
Jamendo Music: This is a music community of independent artists and music lovers.
Audio Jungle: Audio Jungle is a royalty free music website created in 2008 that is part of the Envato Market.
Hope this has given you some idea to what is involved to start your own online radio station and assist you on your broadcasting journey.
Please remember this post is to be taken as a GUIDE ONLY and NOT to be taken as legal advice.
Thank you.
By Andrew