The guide

Background music without IMRO or PPI fees — lawfully, for your venue

In Ireland, playing recorded music in a business normally requires licences from IMRO (for songwriters, composers and publishers) and PPI (for performers and record producers) — two separate tariffs. There is a lawful alternative: playing music that is not part of either repertoire, under a direct licence from the rightsholder. Because Tonarch's works are licensed directly and are registered with neither IMRO nor PPI, playing only the Tonarch repertoire falls outside both tariffs. Under Irish law, performers and producers have a right to equitable remuneration when sound recordings are played in public (s.208 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000); this right is mandatory and cannot be waived. The Tonarch Licence Certificate is a direct licence that discharges this statutory obligation in respect of the Tonarch repertoire. For any non-Tonarch music, separate licensing — including potentially a blanket licence from IMRO and/or PPI — remains the venue's responsibility. This certificate and the IMRO/PPI analysis apply to the Republic of Ireland only; if your premises is in Northern Ireland, UK licensing (PRS for Music and PPL, via TheMusicLicence) applies instead — see our UK page.

What you pay today

Today, playing music in a venue usually means fees to one or more collecting societies:

• IMRO
• PPI

A Tonarch licence from €399 / year per location — one predictable fee, anchored to what you pay now.

The legal basis of direct licensing

Collecting-society fees apply to works within those societies' repertoire. When the rightsholder grants a direct licence and the works are registered with no society, no society royalties arise from playing them publicly. That is the model Tonarch operates on.

The inspection scenario

If IMRO or PPI asks, you present your Tonarch Licence Certificate — issued to your venue by name and address — with the repertoire annex listing every track. It names the rightsholder and confirms the works sit outside both repertoires.

FAQ

Do I really not need an IMRO or PPI licence?

IMRO and PPI licences cover the repertoires they administer. Tonarch music is licensed directly and is registered with neither, so playing only the Tonarch repertoire falls outside both tariffs. You remain responsible for any other music you play.

What do I show if I'm asked?

Your Licence Certificate, issued to your venue by name and address, plus the repertoire annex listing every track. Both are delivered the moment you buy and can be printed or shown on screen.