Do you play music in your park?
Whether you're hosting a karaoke night, or playing music in your camp store, copyright laws require anyone playing any music in public to get permission from songwriters and composers. A music license provides that permission and allows them to continue to create music.

Why do you have to pay to play music in public?
Just like how RV park owners and operators may have a copyright on their business name, songwriters and the music publisher who markets it legally own the rights to the content they have created.

How do you know what music is covered and which licensing to choose?
Each agency represents a segment of singers, songwriters, and composers that they list in their "catalogs." A music license allows you to play music from their catalog in your RV park or campground. But in order to play ANY and ALL music you would need a license for each of the licensing agencies; ASCAP, BMI, GMR, SESAC, and All Track.

Navigating music licensing can be a challenge but the good news is that an agency music license is not the only solution.

Unless you are hiring performers regularly, you can likely avoid a standard license with on of these hot tips:

• You can choose ONE licensing agency and only play music from that agencies catalog. You can require any performers to only play from that catalog as well.
• If you are playing music in your camp store or community areas and they are less than 2500 square feet then you are not required to maintain a license.  The same applies to restaurants of less than 3500 square feet.
• You can also utilize a service like Pandora, Spotify, My Instore Radio, Sound Machine, Soundtrack your brand as they come with a commercial license.  There are also services for Karaoke that come with a license AND you can purchase a limited subscription for the time you need rather than the whole year.

Is there an enrollment deadline?
The deadline to be licensed for the upcoming year is December 1, although you are able to sign up for music licensing at any point during the year; just keep in mind that most of the agencies DO NOT offer prorated or partial payments for obtaining a license partway through the year.

How much does it cost, and how do you sign up?
California Outdoor Hospitality Association has negotiated a discounted rates for all of our members.  To learn more about music licensing, the pricing structure, and how to sign up, call the CalOHA office!