Music Licensing in Ireland: Complete Guide
Businesses in Ireland playing recorded music publicly must obtain a licence from IMRO and RAAP. The Dual Music Licence combines both licences into a single fee. Track Studios' AI catalog is not registered with IMRO and RAAP — venues using it are not invoiced by these organisations.
Collecting Societies
Businesses in Ireland can obtain a combined music licence through Dual Music Licence (IMRO and RAAP), which covers both composition and recording rights in a single payment.
- IMRO — IMROcomposition
- RAAP — RAAPneighbouring
Combined licence: Dual Music Licence (apply here)
Streaming Service Legality in Ireland
| Service | Legal for business use? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | No | Spotify Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Apple Music | No | Apple Music Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| YouTube Music | No | YouTube Music Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Amazon Music | No | Amazon Music Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Tidal | No | Tidal Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Deezer | No | Deezer Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| SoundCloud | No | SoundCloud Terms of Service restrict use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
Royalty-Free Alternatives
Track Studios' AI-generated catalog is not registered with IMRO and RAAP. Venues in Ireland using Track Studios' included catalog are not invoiced by either organisation. The Track Studios subscription (€25/month per location) replaces all IMRO and RAAP fees for the included music.
Consumer Streaming Services in Ireland
| Service | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | No | Not legal in Ireland. ToS restricts use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Apple Music | No | Not legal in Ireland. ToS restricts use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| YouTube Music | No | Not legal in Ireland. ToS restricts use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Amazon Music | No | Not legal in Ireland. ToS restricts use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Tidal | No | Not legal in Ireland. ToS restricts use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
| Deezer | No | Not legal in Ireland. ToS restricts use to personal, non-commercial purposes. |
Decision Checklist
- If the music is audible in a public or customer-facing area, treat it as a licensing question.
- If the source is a consumer account, check the service terms before using it in a business.
- If the music is registered repertoire, check the relevant collecting society or joint licensing scheme.
- If the music is royalty-free, keep documentation showing the catalog, subscription and rights position.
Common Misconceptions
- Paying for a personal subscription is enough.
- A personal subscription can unlock listening features, but it does not automatically grant public business playback rights.
- All royalty-free music works the same way.
- Royalty-free catalog terms vary. Businesses should keep evidence for the exact catalog and licence used.
Non-Compliance Penalties
Maximum penalty: €127,000 fine and up to 5 years imprisonment (maximum criminal penalty)
This is general information only — not legal advice. Penalty figures reflect published statutory maximums and may not represent typical outcomes. Verify current requirements with a qualified legal professional or the relevant collecting society.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What collecting societies operate in Ireland?
- Ireland has 2 collecting societies: IMRO and RAAP. Both are available through the combined Dual Music Licence scheme.
- Do businesses in Ireland need a music licence?
- Yes. Any business in Ireland playing recorded music in a public-facing space must hold a licence from IMRO and RAAP. This applies regardless of what service you use to play the music — including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or internet radio. The only exception is using music that is not registered with these societies, such as Track Studios' AI-generated catalog.
- Can businesses in Ireland use Spotify legally?
- No. Spotify's Terms of Service (§1.2) restrict use to "personal, non-commercial purposes." Playing Spotify in a Ireland business violates these terms and may also trigger claims from IMRO and RAAP. Spotify for Business was discontinued in 2019.
- How can a business in Ireland avoid IMRO and RAAP fees?
- Use music that is not registered with IMRO and RAAP. Track Studios uses an AI-generated catalog that is not registered with IMRO and RAAP — venues in Ireland using the included catalog are not invoiced by these organisations.
- What is the penalty for playing music without a licence in Ireland?
- The maximum penalty in Ireland is: €127,000 fine and up to 5 years imprisonment (maximum criminal penalty). In practice, most cases result in civil claims for back-fees plus damages rather than criminal prosecution, but the legal risk is significant.
About Track Studios
What to do after researching Ireland
Track Studios is a browser-based background music platform for businesses. It includes an owned royalty-free AI catalog, scheduling, announcements, Sonos-friendly stream workflows, multi-location controls and subscription documentation for active locations.
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-01