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Music Licences for Live Events

Live music is more important than ever for musicians and bands. It is also one of the top recreational activities for Irish consumers and overseas visitors.

Taking out an IMRO licence for live music in your venue ensures you can legally continue to host unforgettable experiences for your customers while also ensuring the music creators behind the music you use to enhance your business are fairly remunerated for their work.

IMRO have a selection of live music tariffs to suit your individual licence requirements as a live music venue or promoter.

PPI tariffs apply when recorded copyright music is used in such situations where background music is played between acts (Tariff 41a) and where an act uses recorded music on stage/part of the act (Tariff 41b).  IMRO will issue such licences on behalf of PPI.

For further queries on our live music licensing tariffs, contact our Live Music Licensing Department at 01 644 8030 or fiona.clancy@nullimro.ie

Licensing for Live Events

IMRO Live Event Tariffs and License

Who is ultimately liable from a licensing and royalty payment perspective for live events with a paid admission? The Musician, the Promoter or the Proprietor of the Premises?

The owner of a building needs to get a licence from IMRO to play copyright music in public, regardless of the source of the music, be it the Radio, CDs, TV’s or On Demand streaming services.  They must also pay for the music played at ticketed live music events.

IMRO Live Events Tariffs

The below tariffs apply if you are operating a venue which hosts any of the following types of event and you need a licence from IMRO.
  • IMRO’s Concert Tariff (LP) applies to any ticketed live music events
  • IMRO’s Festival Tariff (MS) applies to multistage music and arts ticketed events
  • IMRO’s Classical Tariff (LC) applies to ticketed classical concerts
  • IMRO’s Variety Tariff (VT) applies to applies to ticketed theatrical presentations, stage plays or Variety Shows, where music is performed
As part of this licence, you need to declare the ticket sales revenue to IMRO for every event and pay the appropriate royalty percentage set out in the relevant tariff. You also need to provide the setlist of all the music performed at the event. If the person who is organising the event already has a Concert (Permit) Licence from IMRO, the building owner doesn’t need one too, provided the person who holds the licence pays all royalties due. Otherwise, the building owner remains liable to IMRO. By taking out the licence before the event takes place, you can avail of the Licensed Rates which are up to 50% cheaper than the Unlicensed Rates. When signing up to a Concert Licence, you will be assigned an account manager from our Live Licensing team who can help you with any questions you may have.

Licensing for Variety and Theatrical shows

What is the VT Tariff?

The IMRO Variety and Theatrical (VT) Tariff applies to performances of copyright music within the Repertoire controlled by IMRO in theatrical presentations, stage plays or Variety Shows, admittance to which is gained by purchase of a ticket or by subscription.

It does not apply to performances at premises to which there is no admission charge.

Is a license required?

Yes, an application for a license is required in advance of the performance.

Email Fiona.Clancy@nullimro.ie if you require a license.

How is the royalty calculated?

  • The royalty per event for Performances at Variety Shows or other Theatrical Presentations is calculated per 5.2.1 of the VT tariff.
  • Paragraph 5.2.3 outlines the Box Office Return information that must be submitted to IMRO.
  • A Box Office Return template can be provided for the licensee to complete.

Programme Details/Setlist

The programme/setlist for all shows must be provided to IMRO in advance and must include the following:
  • the duration of the overall Performance Time (excluding the interval) in hrs: mins: secs
  • the duration of each musical work performed during the Performing Time in hrs: mins: secs
  • A Setlist template can be provided for the licensee to complete.

Discounts to royalty rate

A discount to the royalty rate may be applicable, per paragraph 5.2.2 (and subject to paragraph 6.2. of the VT tariff).

The licensee must establish to IMRO’s satisfaction that Repertoire Controlled by IMRO is performed during less than 80% of the Performing time (i.e. provision of programme details/setlist, as outlined above).

If applicable, the royalty for the Event as calculated under paragraph 5.2.1 shall be subject to the discounts outlined in paragraph 5.2.2.

Please refer to the relevant tariff for further details.

 

  • The Band
  • The Venue manager
  • IMRO Rep
  • The Band
  • The Songwriter
  • The Band

    The Band

    Here's the band. They're busy sound checking for their headline gig tonight at Venue X.

    They've stuck their set list to the floor so they can check it easily during the gig.
  • The Venue manager

    The Venue manager

    This is Jazz. She's been working with the stage crew at Venue X for six months and part of her role is to return the band's set list to IMRO. Without this information, IMRO would be unable to pay the royalty due to the band for performances of their songs.

    She can now email a picture of the setlist and/or setlist details to setlists@nullimro.ie
  • IMRO Rep

    IMRO Rep

    This is Frank. He looks after set list collection at IMRO.

    Once an invoice has been paid by the venue/promoter of the gig, Frank and his team can allocate a specific payment to the set list based on how the songs performed on the night have been registered.
  • The Band

    The Band

    Here's that band again, in studio recording their upcoming EP.

    They've just received a royalty payment for that gig, and a few others, from IMRO. It's money that's going to contribute to the mastering, production or promotion of their EP. It's money that means they can continue to make a living from the work they do.
  • The Songwriter

    The Songwriter

    Finally, this is Steven. He's a songwriter but he didn't play at the gig that night. The band are just huge fans of his and regularly include one of his songs in their set.

    He's just received a payment from IMRO for the band's performance of his song. It's money he can put towards his tour next year. He's thinking of checking out that venue that's just appeared on his royalty statement...

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