MUSIC IN RESTAURANTS
As a restaurant owner you are fully aware of the importance of creating the right ambience to attract and keep customer patronage in your restaurant. In creating this environment the music you provide is every bit as important as the interior design, food and beverage selection that you provide.
By taking out an IMRO licence you have instant access to millions of musical works covering all styles and musical tastes. Choosing to play music in your restaurant can have an impact on consumer behaviour and thus influence business profits.
Were you aware that playing certain styles and tempos of music can affect the way customers behave in your restaurant. Research studies carried out both in the UK and USA have shown that playing music with a high tempo can reduce the amount of time diners spend eating in a restaurant. By playing a higher tempo music at lunchtime or at your busiest time of day you can increase customer flow through and thus ultimately increase your business profits.
Source: R Milliman, Journal of Consumer Research, 1986
Why The Need For An IMRO Licence?
Musical compositions just like any other copyrighted material (computer software, books and videos) are the legal property of their creators. Thus when you use this material in your restaurant you must first obtain permission from the copyright owners to do so. The cost and time involved in securing the authority for each and every piece of music that you may use in your restaurant would be an unaffordable and almost impossible task for you.
IMRO OFFERS YOU AN EASY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM
IMRO can provide you with a music licence that covers any use of copyrighted music whether it be by means of a television, radio/CD/tape player or live music etc., that may take place on your premises. Signing an IMRO licence means that you can legally use IMRO copyright music in your restaurant for just one payment per year. This frees you from the trouble and cost of having to secure permission on each piece of music used in your restaurant.
Where Do Your Licence Fees Go?
IMRO functions as a non-profit making organisation and all distributable royalties collected by IMRO are paid directly to the people who compose, publish and write the music that you are playing in your restaurant. IMRO also uses a proportion of the royalties collected to help foster and develop both new and established music writers through workshops, seminars and sponsorship of a wide variety of projects throughout the country.
By paying your annual licence fee to IMRO you are enabling songwriters to continue writing songs that you will ultimately use to improve the way in which your business operates. By protecting music writers rights we encourage and reinforce the creativity that helps everyone develop and prosper.
How Much Does An IMRO Licence Cost?
The cost of an IMRO licence for restaurants and cafes is largely dependent on the size of your restaurant but for as little as a few cents a day you can select from millions of musical works to create the right atmosphere in your restaurant. Just think of the value added service you are providing to your customers and staff by playing music in your restaurant.
YOUR IMRO LICENCE DOES REPRESENT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY
IMRO charges have been negotiated and agreed upon with the Restaurants Association Of Ireland. IMRO will be happy to advise you about the cost of a licence for your particular restaurant. You must get an IMRO licence before musical performances in public begin and if you contact IMRO before you start using music your first year royalty charge could be significantly reduced. IMRO makes it easy for restaurants and cafes to tap into the power of music with one simple cost-effective licence.
Does it Matter How The Music Is Performed?
The simple answer here is no. Whether the performance is by means of a record/CD/tape player, television, radio, jukebox, video or live performance an IMRO licence is still necessary.
You might say “but I already have a television licence” or “I’m using my own tapes & CDs”. Possession of a television licence does not cover the public performance of music on your premises. Similarly when you purchase a tape, record or CD the price you pay only covers the right to play the music in non-public areas such as your home. Once you play music on your premises it becomes a public performance of music.
Additional Questions / Information
We hope that this brochure has helped to explain the need and benefits of obtaining an IMRO licence. If you are an existing music user or you intend to use music in your company in the future and you have any additional information requirements please feel free to contact our Licensing Department at (01) 6614844
A member of our licensing staff will be happy to discuss your particular licensing needs.
Alternatively IMRO can be contacted through our Online Licensing and Information Service
