What Are Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)?
Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC are bodies responsible for collecting royalties on behalf of music creators — composers, lyricists, and publishers. Any business that plays regular commercial music is required to obtain a license from a PRO.
How Much Do PROs Charge?
Rates vary based on:
On average, a small-to-medium business pays $1,500-$5,000 per year in PRO fees. Large chains pay significantly more.
What About Sound Recording Rights?
Beyond PROs (which cover the composition), there are also sound recording rights held by record labels and collected through organizations like SoundExchange. This is an additional payment on top of PRO fees.
The Total Cost
| Organization | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| PRO (ASCAP/BMI) | $1,500-$5,000 |
| SoundExchange | $500-$2,000 |
| Music service | $100-$500 |
| **Total** | **$2,100-$7,500+** |
The Alternative: Royalty-Free Music
What If You Could Skip All This?
With royalty-free music from 4Play, you pay $35-$59/month ($378-$637/year) — and this includes everything:
How Is This Possible?
4Play works directly with artists and labels who created music specifically for commercial use. 4Play owns the rights, so there's no need to pay external copyright bodies.
What Happens If You Don't Pay?
Risks of Playing Music Without a License
1. Demand letters — PROs send inspectors to businesses
2. Retroactive fines — payment for years of unlicensed use
3. Lawsuits — damages of tens of thousands of dollars
4. Reputation damage — public legal battles
Summary
PROs and copyright organizations exist to protect creators' rights — and that matters. But businesses that want to save money and avoid bureaucracy can choose royalty-free music. With 4Play, one subscription covers everything — great music, full rights, and thousands in annual savings.
Try 4Play free for 7 days — no PROs, no copyright headaches, no worries.
