What Is PRS and PPL, and Do You Still Need Them?

sczechowicz
Jun 1
2 min read

If you play music in your business — whether it’s a hair salon, retail store, gym, café or co-working space — you’ve likely come across the acronyms PRS and PPL. For years, these licensing bodies were the gatekeepers to playing music legally in commercial spaces.

But things are changing. And if you’re still paying for both PRS and PPL licenses, this blog could save you time, money, and legal headaches.

🎼 What Are PRS and PPL?

PRS for Music (Performing Right Society) and PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) are two UK-based music licensing organisations. They collect royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers, publishers (PRS), and recording artists and record labels (PPL), whenever music is played publicly — including in shops, bars, gyms, and other commercial spaces.

In most cases, a business needs both licenses to legally play music. PRS covers the composition and lyrics, while PPL covers the actual recording of the song.

💸 Why It Can Get Complicated (and Expensive)

If you’ve tried to stay compliant, you’ll know how confusing the system can be. Businesses often find themselves:

Paying for two separate licenses from two different organisations
Facing annual renewals and rising fees
Still uncertain about whether they’re fully covered
Playing music that doesn’t reflect their brand
Funding major label artists — not independent talent

🚫 Do You Still Need PRS and PPL?

Not necessarily.With platforms like Audiimax, you can legally play music in your business without needing PRS or PPL licenses at all.

How? We license our music directly from independent artists. That means:

You’re fully covered to use the music in your venue
You pay one flat fee with no extra licensing charges
The artists get paid fairly — with no middlemen
You avoid audits, complex paperwork, and outdated systems

✅ What Makes Audiimax Different?

Fully Licensed Music: Every track is covered for commercial use
No PRS or PPL Required: We've handled it all, legally and transparently
Support Independent Artists: Your subscription funds real creators
Custom Playlists: AI curates music to suit your brand, time of day, and vibe
Optional AI Advertising: Monetise your footfall and promote offers with smart in-store voice messaging

🎧 Ready to Simplify Your Music Licensing?

Join the growing number of businesses switching to ethical, intelligent music streaming.With Audiimax, you don’t just play music — you power your brand.

👉 Explore more at www.audiimax.com