Audio tools

Music license

Radio Albena does not supply any rights to broadcast or distribute musical works. If you’re planning on broadcasting commercial music, you’re going to need a music license.

Broadcasting music, whether it’s over the radio, TV, online, or in public spaces, typically requires obtaining the appropriate licenses to ensure that the rights of the creators and copyright holders are respected. Here’s an overview of the key points related to licensing for broadcasting music:

1. Public Performance Rights

  • Performance Rights Organizations (PROs): These organizations, such as ASCAP, BMI, SESAC (in the U.S.), PRS (in the UK), and others, manage public performance rights on behalf of songwriters, composers, and publishers. If you plan to broadcast music, you’ll need a license from the relevant PRO(s) in your country.
  • Global Licensing: If you’re broadcasting internationally, you might need to secure licenses from multiple PROs in different countries or opt for a global licensing arrangement.

2. Mechanical Rights

  • Mechanical licenses are required if you’re reproducing and distributing copies of the music (e.g., physical copies, downloads, or on-demand streaming). These licenses are typically handled by organizations like the Harry Fox Agency in the U.S.

3. Synchronization Rights

  • Sync licenses are needed if you’re pairing music with visual content, such as in TV shows, movies, commercials, or online videos. These are negotiated directly with the copyright holder or their representative.

4. Master Rights

  • If you want to use a specific recording of a song, you’ll need a master use license from the owner of the sound recording (usually the record label).

5. Webcasting and Streaming

  • Webcasting Licenses: For internet radio and streaming services, you may need additional licenses beyond public performance rights. In the U.S., for instance, SoundExchange handles the licensing of digital public performances of sound recordings.
  • Interactive Streaming: If your service allows users to select and play specific songs (like Spotify), you’ll need both performance and mechanical licenses.

6. Background Music Services

  • Background Music Licenses: If you’re broadcasting music in a public space (e.g., a retail store or restaurant), you’ll need a license to play music in that setting. Services like Mood Media or Spotify for Business can provide such licenses.

7. Commercial Broadcasting (Radio and TV)

  • Broadcast Licenses: Traditional radio and TV broadcasters typically obtain blanket licenses from PROs, allowing them to play any music in the PRO’s catalog without needing individual licenses for each song.

8. Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Failing to obtain the necessary licenses can result in fines, legal action, and the suspension of broadcasting privileges.

Steps to Obtain a License

  1. Identify the type of broadcast (e.g., online, radio, TV).
  2. Contact the relevant PRO(s) for public performance rights.
  3. Secure any additional licenses (e.g., sync, mechanical, master use) based on your specific needs.
  4. Negotiate fees and ensure compliance with the terms of the licenses.

Obtaining the correct licenses is crucial to legally broadcasting music, protecting the rights of creators, and avoiding legal complications.

 

For more information, the best option would be to get in contact with your relevant music licensing authority in the country where you will be broadcasting from. That way you can explain your project and they will guide you towards the best suited license.

 

The costs associated with legally streaming music over the internet in Bulgaria, like in other countries, depend on several factors, including the type of streaming service (e.g., interactive or non-interactive), the scale of the operation, and the specific licenses required. Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs:

1. Licensing Fees

Public Performance Rights

In Bulgaria, public performance rights are managed by organizations like Musicautor and Prophon:

  • Musicautor: Represents the rights of authors, composers, and publishers. A license from Musicautor allows you to stream music legally online. The costs can vary based on the size of the audience, the frequency of use, and the nature of the streaming service.
  • Prophon: Manages the rights of performers and producers of sound recordings. You’ll need a license from Prophon if you’re streaming music that involves Bulgarian artists or music produced in Bulgaria.

Mechanical Rights

  • Mechanical Licenses: If your streaming service involves downloadable content or on-demand streaming, you may need a mechanical license, typically negotiated with Musicautor or directly with the rights holders.

Master Rights

  • Master Use License: If you’re using specific sound recordings, you’ll need to negotiate with the record label or the entity that holds the rights to the master recording.

2. Types of Streaming Services

Non-Interactive Streaming (e.g., Internet Radio)

  • Royalties: For non-interactive streaming, you usually pay a blanket license fee to the rights organizations, which allows you to stream music without obtaining individual licenses for each track.
  • Costs: Fees are often based on the number of listeners, the hours of music streamed, and the type of service. Smaller services might pay a few hundred euros per year, while larger services could pay significantly more.

Interactive Streaming (e.g., On-Demand Services)

  • Royalties: Interactive streaming services generally pay higher royalties since users can select specific tracks. You’ll need to pay both performance and mechanical royalties.
  • Costs: The cost structure can include a percentage of revenue (e.g., 10-15%) or a per-stream fee, plus potential minimum guarantees. This can result in higher costs, especially for larger services.

3. Additional Considerations

  • Startup Costs: Besides licensing, consider the costs of setting up the streaming platform, including servers, software, and marketing.
  • Legal Fees: You might need legal assistance to negotiate licenses, which adds to the cost.
  • Reporting: Rights organizations often require detailed reports on the music played, which can add administrative costs.

4. Estimated Costs

  • Small Online Radio Station: Might pay anywhere from €500 to €1,500 annually for the necessary licenses.
  • Larger Streaming Service: Costs can run into thousands of euros annually, depending on user base and streaming volume.

Conclusion

Streaming music legally in Bulgaria involves obtaining the appropriate licenses from Musicautor, Prophon, and potentially other rights holders. Costs can vary widely based on the scale and type of streaming service. For accurate pricing, you’ll need to contact the rights organizations directly and possibly negotiate based on your specific needs.

 

For Bulgaria