MUSIC IN SHOPS
With competition in the retail industry becoming increasingly intensive consumers are encouraged to select one retail premises over another. This is where the power of music becomes a positive influencing factor. Music has the tendency to put customers at their ease thus encouraging them to spend more time in retail outlets. Therefore the longer they remain in your shop the more likely they are to purchase something.
If you are already using music in your shop you will already greatly appreciate the benefits that can be derived from playing music on your premises. Music, whether it be by means of background music, televisions or live performances does influence how customers and potential customers view your establishment. The style and tempo of music you provide does contribute to the overall store image of your retail outlet. Just as it is important to have attractive display fixtures, window displays and appropriate lighting music too can be used to create a pleasant and appealing ambiance for your customers.
Larger retail outlets have long recognised the influence music can have on shopping patterns. Music with a high tempo can encourage shoppers to move more quickly through a shop, while slower tempo music can have the influence of slowing down customers with the overall benefit of them spending more money in such situations.
Source: Based on research carried out by Milliman, R.E. (1982). Using background music to affect the behaviour of supermarket shoppers. Journal of Marketing.
By taking out an IMRO licence you have instant access to millions of musical works covering all styles and musical tastes all of which can be used by you to improve the way in which your business operates.
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 shop 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 shop 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 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 shop 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 on your premises.
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 retail premises. 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?
In general the level of royalties due is directly related to size of your retail premises. Your royalty charge is based on the total floor area of your premises in which music is audible. Other tariffs may apply if you are using music in other parts of your premises e.g. music on a telephone hold system or in staff canteens etc. Thus smaller retail establishments will typically be paying less than larger retailers but for as little as a few cents a day you can select from millions of musical works to enhance the way in which your business operates.
YOUR IMRO LICENCE DOES REPRESENT GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY
IMRO charges have been negotiated and agreed upon with the Irish Hotels Federation, the Restaurants Association of Ireland and the Irish Dancing and Entertainment Industry Association. IMRO will be happy to advise you about the cost of a licence for your particular business. 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 hoteliers 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. Musicians or artists whom you may have engaged or permitted to perform on your premises do not hold an IMRO licence - The responsibility is yours to ensure that your hotel is licensed correctly for any music that may take place.
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
