Who is legally responsible for holding a public performance license?

Who is legally responsible for holding a public performance license?

• A. The audience
• B. The venue / land
• C. The songwriter
• D. The producer

Answer: (B)

Public performance licenses cover music that is performed in public, and the entity that must obtain that license is the venue operator—the owner or manager of the place where the music is performed. The venue controls the space and sells access to it, so it is responsible for securing a blanket license from performing rights organizations (like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC) to cover all songs performed there. The songwriter holds the copyright to their work but does not issue the license for performances at a venue. The audience isn’t responsible for obtaining a license, and while a producer or promoter may organize an event, the licensing obligation typically sits with the venue or the event organizer who controls the performance space.

Public performance licenses cover music that is performed in public, and the entity that must obtain that license is the venue operator—the owner or manager of the place where the music is performed. The venue controls the space and sells access to it, so it is responsible for securing a blanket license from performing rights organizations (like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC) to cover all songs performed there. The songwriter holds the copyright to their work but does not issue the license for performances at a venue. The audience isn’t responsible for obtaining a license, and while a producer or promoter may organize an event, the licensing obligation typically sits with the venue or the event organizer who controls the performance space.