local PRO vs Direct Licensing: What Café Owners Need to Know

Confused about music licensing for your cafe? We break down local PRO/local PRO licensing vs direct licensing, and which option suits your business. VibeBeats is direct-licensed background music for cafés, restaurants, bars, gyms, retail stores, salons, spas, clinics and hotels. No music licensing/PRO fees (*No OneMusic, ASCAP, BMI, PPL PRS or SOCAN licence needed for VibeBeats music.) Other music sources may still require licensing. The AI DJ reshapes each playlist through the trading day.

The Music Licensing Maze

If you own a café in international markets, you've probably heard of local composition PRO and local PRO licensing. But do you actually understand what they do, what you're paying for, and whether there are alternatives?

Let's break it down.

What is local PRO/local PRO licensing?

local composition PRO (Australasian Performing Right Association) collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and composers. local PRO licensing is a joint initiative between local composition PRO and local recording PRO that offers a single licence covering both the song (composition) and the recording.

If you play any mainstream, commercially released music in your café — radio, Spotify, Apple Music, a DJ, or even a cover band — you likely need a local PRO licensing licence.

What Does a local PRO licensing Licence Cost?

Costs vary based on your venue size, type, and how you play music. For a typical café: • Background music via speakers: from a fee that depends on the venue and the scheme (confirm the current tariff on onemusic.com.au) • If you have a TV showing music videos: additional fees apply • Live music or DJs: additional fees apply

What is Direct Licensing?

Direct licensing means getting permission to play music directly from the rights holder — bypassing the collecting society entirely.

Services like VibeBeats own or control the rights to their catalogue. When you subscribe, you get a direct commercial licence to play that specific catalogue in your venue. No local PRO fees required for VibeBeats tracks.

Which Should I Choose?

It depends on what you play:

— Scenario — What You Need — — Only play VibeBeats catalogue — VibeBeats subscription (no local PRO needed for our tracks) — — Play radio, Spotify, or mainstream music — local PRO licensing licence — — Mix of VibeBeats + some radio/mainstream — VibeBeats subscription + local PRO licensing licence for the other music —

The Smart Move

Many café owners are switching to direct-licensed services like VibeBeats to simplify their setup and reduce costs. One subscription, one licence, no paperwork — just press play.

Want to see how it works? Book a demo today.

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