Do I Need a License for Internet Radio?

Licensing is one of the many barriers that keep people from entering the world of Internet broadcasting. Many people are either unaware of the licensing policies or reluctant to start broadcasting for fear of infringing on the copyrights of others.

We have decided to set the record straight for all broadcasters out there today. In this blog, we are answering the most commonly asked question in the world of Internet broadcasting: "Do I need a license for Internet radio?"

All about Internet Radio Licensing

The short answer to whether or not you need a license is: it depends. It depends on the content you are broadcasting and the country from which you are streaming.

Because each country has its own set of licensing laws, there is no simple yes or no answer to this question. Therefore, before you start laying the groundwork for your Internet radio station, we recommend that you consult with industry authorities in your country.

In the United States, the three prominent Performance-Rights Organizations (PROs) in charge of licensing are: 

• The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)
• Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
• The Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC)

The type of content you play on your radio station will also dictate whether or not you need a license.

The following are the two most common types of content broadcasted on Internet radio stations:

Music: If you want to bless your listeners' ears with chart-toppers, you will almost certainly need to have a license. This is because these are copyrighted songs, with the composer and artists owning the rights.

Talk: Talk shows are also very popular these days. People enjoy tuning in to podcasts that are both entertaining and educational. Most of us even have personal favorites when it comes to hosts and speakers. 

If you are only talking on your radio station and not playing music, you do not need a license. Having said that, most talk radio stations play a few songs as filler or background music—and even if you only play a copyrighted piece for 5 seconds, you would need to purchase a license.

The Biggest Misconception About Royalty-Free Music

Many radio broadcasters mistakenly assume that they can freely play royalty-free music on their stations. If you are one of those, let us educate you.

The term "royalty-free" does not imply that you will be able to use the music without spending anything. Though the royalty-free music license differs from the standard Internet radio license, you must still pay a nominal fee if you use the music for commercial purposes.

Royalty-free licenses need a one-time fee rather than an annual payment. Once you have paid, you can use the song as many times as you want. AudioJungle, Jamendo Music, and Storyblocks are the three common platforms where you can get high-quality royalty-free music for your Internet radio station.

And there you have it! With this knowledge under your belt, you can easily decide if you need a license for your Internet radio station. 

Do you wish to start broadcasting now? RadioBASH can offer you the best audio streaming services out there. Contact us online today to learn more about our streaming plans.